Lexington heart doctor killed in weekend crash will be missed

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- Monday, the few staffers at Dr. David Cassidy’s office made calls they thought they’d never have to, cancelling appointments after the popular cardiologist was killed in a weekend crash.

To say Dr. David Cassidy touched the hearts of many is cliche but true. His office manager says patients traveled from as far away as the Virginia and West Virginia borders for his healthcare practice. That’s why the news of his heavy on the hearts of so many.

State troopers say Cassidy was riding his bike in the southbound lanes of Lexington Road in Bourbon County when a 24-year-old driver hit and killed him. He died on the scene.

“Very surreal, we go from knowing a physician who is very active, very health conscious to getting the call that he is no longer with us,” says Lenny VanMeter, office manager at Cassidy’s practice.

VanMeter says he let the rest of the staff know Sunday night, then they knew what they had to do Monday — each call to cancel appointment forcing them to relive the reality of their leader’s death.

VanMeter remembers Cassidy as an active man, in love with cycling, unwilling to take the elevator.

One former riding mate of Cassidy’s says the doctor formally rode with a group called the Zombie Zone Cyclists. Unfortunately this isn’t the first death the group has seen. In 2015, cyclist and area attorney Mark Hinkel lost his life in a crash with a car.

As for Cassidy’s crash, state police are continuing to investigate. So far, no charges have been filed against the 24-year-old driver.