Toll road director helps save cyclist’s life

On Wednesday, the Austin American-Statesman published a story about seven local heroes who were recognized for their help in saving an injured bicyclist’s life. The Austin Police Department recognized three of its own as well as four civilians who came to the aid of JoJo McKibben after she was trapped under a car at Sixth Street and North Lamar Boulevard back in June. Police say Katie Bykowski was drunk when she blew through the light, hit another car and landed on top of McKibben. Apparently, one of the bystanders who came to the rescue was Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Board Member Nikelle Meade. Meade recounted to the Austin Monitor that she was about to drive out of the 24 Diner parking lot when she saw Bykowski’s SUV flying through the air towards her. Meade said she got out of her car, rushed to the wreck and saw McKibben pinned beneath the SUV’s tire. “Everybody had this tenth of a second of panic and then one guy said, ‘We have to get this car off of her,’” Meade recalled. As several other witnesses lifted the vehicle off of McKibben, Meade held the injured cyclist steady to avoid further damage. As for Wednesday’s ceremony at APD headquarters, Meade said the highlight for her was seeing McKibben alive and surrounded by family. She said the harrowing experience will guide her thinking as she serves her term on the CTRMA board. “It heightened for me the importance of really thinking about all these people sharing the road,” Meade said. “We have to make it safe for everybody.”