A bicyclist struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver Thursday afternoon in the South Lake Union area was Mike Wang, a 44-year-old staff photographer for PATH, an international health-care nonprofit organization.

Wang, of Shoreline, had been working for PATH for six years, and his photos are on display at PATH facilities all over the world, said Amy McIver, a spokeswoman for PATH.

Wang was struck just a few blocks from his PATH office on Westlake Avenue.

"We're heartbroken at the loss," said McIver.

Police on Friday were still seeking the driver of the SUV they believe was involved in the incident.

The accident occurred at 3:44 p.m. Thursday on one of the city's main bicycle thoroughfares — Dexter Avenue North, which links downtown to northwest Seattle. The crash occurred at Thomas Street.

It was the fourth recent car accident on the street, according to several people who work in the area.

At the scene of the accident, people had begun to gather Friday, bearing notes and flowers.

"Thanks for being such a good friend," said one note displayed at the scene. "I'll miss our runs to the I.D. for 'Blue Collar' Taiwanese lunch. I'll miss your tips for kids and family life and most of all your talents as a true artist and photographer."

Last week in Kirkland, a 49-year-old Connecticut man was killed while riding his bicycle on Northeast Juanita Drive.

Wang was riding north on Dexter in the designated bicycle lane when he was hit by a southbound SUV that turned east onto Thomas Street, according to employees in the area who had spoken to a key witness.

The driver sped through the intersection, they said, causing a terrific noise, before stopping briefly then taking off.

Police spokesman Jeff Kappel described the vehicle as a brown, American-made SUV with tinted windows and a chrome roof rack. It was last seen heading east on Thomas.

A visiting critical-care doctor who was staying at the nearby Holiday Inn performed CPR on Wang, who was taken to Harborview Medical Center.

Police cordoned off two blocks of Dexter Avenue Thursday afternoon as they investigated. The bicycle remained at the intersection, next to a pair of glasses, a white water bottle and a small green-and-black bag.

Patricia Cameron, who runs an art gallery at the intersection, said she heard a loud crash and rushed out. Wang was wearing a helmet, she said, but it did little to protect him.

"We've asked the city to put up a light," said Cameron, whose gallery has been at the intersection for six years.

"We've seen so many car accidents, and I've seen other bicyclists nearly get it," she said.

Cars turn fast from Dexter to Thomas as they try to beat oncoming traffic and navigate rush-hour traffic.

"It's such a tragedy," she said.

Jon Cunningham, who rides his bicycle to work down Dexter, said another bicyclist was struck at the same intersection last spring.

Cunningham said he was struck by a car recently as he cycled at Dexter and Roy Street. A driver turned in to him and he was thrown 20 feet.

"It's the highest-traffic bike road in the city," he said.

Staff writer J.B. Wogan contributed to this report. Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246, eheffter@seattletimes.com