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In one instant Tuesday night, lives were forever changed.

Seventy-nine-year-old Robert Ryan was behind the wheel of the car that struck a 13-year-old boy riding his bike in Orléans.

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On Wednesday morning police confirmed the teen had died, reigniting a heated debate about cycling safety in Ottawa and sparking fierce exchanges online between city councillors about how to address the issue.

As of Wednesday night, police had still not identified the boy.

Ryan said he was driving to get dinner on Tuesday when three young cyclists, who looked to be riding together, suddenly crossed out into the road at the westbound 174 onramp off of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard.

“I assume they were crossing there with their bikes and they were just coming off the path and they were going to cross over and go on the other sidewalk,” he said.

Ryan said the first two rode their bicycles in front of his vehicle but were able to narrowly avoid a collision.