Collins' family grows to accept 'Ghost Bike' memorial

The intersection of Hyde Park Avenue and Brorein Street remains a painful location for Ed Collins and his family.

It's where Collins' father, LeRoy Collins Jr., 75, was killed last month when a sport utility vehicle struck him as he rode his bicycle in the morning.

Collins Jr., the son of a popular former governor, was a retired admiral, head of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and a former U.S. Senate candidate.

About two weeks after his death, an anonymous person placed a Ghost Bike at the southeast corner of the intersection to honor and memorialize Collins Jr.

The bicycle was spray painted white. Along the chain guard, 14 small stars were painted to recognize his family, including himself, his wife, four children and eight grandchildren.

The bicycle also has two welded stars because Collins Jr. was a two-star admiral when he retired from the Navy. The bicycle has been placed in concrete and welded with rebar.

"It's a polite, nice gesture," Ed Collins said. "It's a nice salute to him, his life and his legacy."

The tribute also serves as a reminder to motorists to remain mindful of bicyclists pedaling throughout the area.

"Maybe it will save a life down the road," said Ed Collins, who is not sure who created the Ghost Bike for his father.

Ed Collins said his family had mixed feelings when they first saw the memorial. An avid cyclist, Ed Collins was proud of the tribute. At first, however, other family members thought it was morbid.

But after learning the "purpose, intent and message," the family was supportive of the memorial, Ed Collins said.

"I think it's well done," he said. "I thought it was a very thoughtful gesture."

Alan Snel, director of a local bicycling organization and a bicycling advocate, said the person who created the Ghost Bike knew LeRoy Collins Jr. Snel called the Ghost Bike creator an associate but declined to name the person.

"It's a moving and beautiful tribute to Admiral Collins," said Snel, the director of South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers.

Snel said the memorial also reminds motorists to be careful of bicyclists, especially as the number of bicyclists grows in the area.

"More and more people are biking in Tampa," Snel said. "Unfortunately, the infrastructure has not kept pace with the growing number of bicyclists in the area."

Police ruled the crash that killed Collins an accident and said no charges will be filed against Margaux Manuel, the driver of the SUV.

Manuel was heading west on Brorein Street just before 7 a.m. and stopped at the Hyde Park Avenue red light. She made a left turn from the one-way street onto Hyde Park Avenue but did not see Collins in the crosswalk, Tampa police said.

Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.