Hollywood resident Damian Kevitt never dreamed he would become a public advocate when he set out for a bicycle ride through Griffith Park on Feb. 17, 2013. But everything changed that day when a minivan struck Kevitt and dragged him 600 feet down an onramp to the Golden State (5) Freeway.

Damian Kevitt, whose leg was amputated after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in 2013, is training to run in the L.A. Marathon. (photo courtesy of Finish the Ride)

He suffered more than 20 broken bones, his right leg was amputated and he was hospitalized for four months. The driver who struck the cyclist was never found.

The 38-year-old Kevitt said he made a personal commitment shortly after the accident to one day finish the ride he started, and to advocate for victims injured in hit-and-run collisions.

Kevitt accomplished one of his personal commitments by organizing the “Finish the Ride” event last April, in which he led approximately 700 cyclists from Hollywood to The Autry National Center in Griffith Park, near the location where he was injured in the hit-and-run collision. He has parlayed the ride into a an annual event now titled “Finish the Ride: Run, Walk and Roll”, which will be held on April 19 in Griffith Park and will be open not only to cyclists, but people on all forms of non-motorized transportation, as well as runners and walkers. He is also in the process of forming a nonprofit that will be known as Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), which will advocate for tougher laws regarding hit-and-run collisions, and for victims.

“[Finish the Ride] was originally meant to be a single event, but there was so much demand from people to continue the effort that I couldn’t just step away from it,” Kevitt said. “It has really transformed into something I never expected.”

Finish the Ride is not the only feat of endurance Kevitt plans to undertake in the near future. He is currently training for the L.A. Marathon on March 15, and is soliciting people to join him and raise funds for the advocacy effort regarding hit-and-run collisions.

“I have never run a marathon, ever, but it was a decision I made on the second day in the hospital after my leg was amputated,” Kevitt added. “I just finished my first 20-mile run. I have been training since September. When I first started, I couldn’t run a mile.”

Kevitt wears prostheses that allow him to run, walk and ride a bike. While athletic events are at the heart of the movement he started, he promised that there will be much more to come.

Kevitt joined Los Angeles City Councilmen Mitchell Englander and Joe Buscaino on Tuesday when the city council approved measures that will lead to a citywide alert system when hit-and-run collisions occur. The system will utilize social media to distribute information about suspect vehicles, with the hope of generating more “eyes and ears”, Englander said.

The council also approved a new tiered reward system for hit-and-run drivers, which will allow for $50,000 rewards for information leading to a conviction in hit-and-run fatalities, $25,000 rewards for hit-and-run collisions causing serious bodily injury, $5,000 rewards for incidents resulting in minor injuries, and $1,000 rewards for hit-and-run collisions causing property damage. Englander added that the hit-and-run problem has become “epidemic” in Los Angeles.

“There are 144 Damians out there from last year who were seriously injured, 27 people killed and 20,000 hit-and-run crimes,” Englander said.

Kevitt is also working with Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) on statewide legislation that would create a “yellow alert” system to broadcast information on electronic freeway signs when a hit-and-run driver is wanted by police. Gatto re-introduced the measure in December after similar legislation was vetoed last year.

“Hit-and-run victims and their families deserve to know that cowards who drive recklessly and purposefully avoid responsibility will be caught, and will no longer be allowed to drive the streets,” Gatto said.

Kevitt said he is encouraged by the recently approved citywide legislation, and will do whatever he can to raise awareness and support for expanded statewide hit-and-run regulations. He said he is working with lawmakers to create legislation to increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers, and to close a loophole that allows the drivers to be charged with a lesser crime, instead of a felony, if they come to terms over restitution with injured victims.

Kevitt added that he harbors no animosity toward the driver who struck him, and added that he would hate to have to live with the guilt he believes the driver must feel.

“It doesn’t matter what faith you believe in, he has got to be living a miserable life. I wish he would come forward to bring closure to his life,” Kevitt said. “As odd as it sounds, my life is better than it was before, in the number of people I have been able to help. It’s done, and I have no regrets.”

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the California Highway Patrol at (626)296-8100. Anonymous tips can be made to (800)782-7463.

For information about supporting Kevitt’s mission or participating in events, visit www.finishtheride.com.