Peabody Firefighter Struck, Killed By Driver While Biking In Beverly

BEVERLY (CBS) -- An off-duty Peabody firefighter was struck and killed Sunday night while riding his bike.

Firefighter Dan Pimenta was hit by a Jeep while riding on Hale Street in Beverly around 4:20 p.m.

The 53-year-old was taken to Beverly Hospital where he died of his injuries.

The Jeep driver, a 69-year-old Beverly man, was not hurt and stayed on the scene. Police said he faces no charges at this time.

Mourners paid tribute to Pimenta at the station where he was a firefighter for 27 years.

"Great brother in law, great father, uncle, everything, my sister Donna's husband he couldn't have been a better guy," said Joan Carol. "We're gonna miss him dearly."

Friends say Pimenta, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 25 years ago, rode in many charity bike events to raise money for MS research.

"He was a supreme champion fighting for MS and he proved it, he did it his whole life, he fought against it, people would say 'oh you can't be a firefighter with MS' well he's living proof that he did it," said friend Ellen Burke.

Pimenta leaves behind a wife and two children.