Tears, anger in wake of cyclist death in downtown Seattle

SEATTLE — They arrived late Saturday afternoon, along with Kung's partner and 7-month-old daughter, at a memorial to the 31-year-old attorney, well known for defending the civil rights of gays and lesbians.  Kung was a new mother, too.

"She is really a beautiful person," said Steven Rubio.  He got to know her through his husband, Sonny Feldman, who is in IT for the Perkins-Coie Law firm where Kung worked.

"She was just a wonderful person with a very good heart," said Feldman.

"Lots of smiles," said Rubio. "That's why we brought sunflowers today 'cause it reminds us of her."

Seattle police say Kung was killed Friday morning by a truck driver who turned left into her path.  The driver was visibly shaken at the scene.  His uncle identified him as Roberto Garza of Lake Tapps.

"What I saw of him, it hurt me because I know how he is," said Daniel Garza. "He's a very loving person."

The city of Seattle is just days away from installing a new, protected bike lane on Second Avenue. It will be similar to lanes recently installed in other neighborhoods that separate cyclists from moving vehicles.

"It could be anybody," said Ballard cyclist Nancy Lee. "It could be me."

Lee was standing just a few feet from the ghost bicycle placed in sad tribute to fallen cyclists.

She said of the city's plans, it's about time.

"Yeah, they can't do it soon enough," said Lee. "I never ride on this road because it scares me."

Whatever the city does, it will come too late for Kung.  She and her partner, Christine Sanders, were planning to marry in September 2015.

KIRO