On May 13, 2026, Reno, Nevada lost an incredibly special man. Jeff Illig—a veteran, a devoted dad, and a 30-year U.S. Postal Service mail carrier—was tragically killed in a hit-and-run. He was doing what he loved, riding his bicycle in the bike lane near South McCarran and West Plumb Lane, when someone struck him and just drove away. The car was later found with the plates and vin removed and the driver remains on the run.

If you knew Jeff, you knew how much pride he took in his work and his community. Over his 30 years with the Postal Service, he drove more than a million miles without a single accident. It is heartbreaking that someone with so much respect for the road was taken from us this way. Beyond work, Jeff was just a genuinely kind, quiet guy who loved cycling, helping others learn, and caring for his cats.

Right now, his only son, Nick, is carrying an unimaginable weight. Nick had to drop everything and rush back from teaching English overseas to care for his dad's cats, arrange final affairs, and pay legal expenses. This is an unexpected move. He is trying to grieve his father while facing financial strain and a complete upheaval of his own livelihood.

We want to surround Nick with the same kindness Jeff showed others. Our absolute top priority is raising the current Secret Witness reward from $2,500 to $20,000. Someone in Reno knows something about that morning. We hope a larger reward will finally convince them to come forward so we can get justice for Jeff.

Any extra funds raised will go directly toward helping Nick cover these unexpected legal and moving expenses, as well as building a lasting roadside memorial for Jeff to remind drivers to look out for cyclists.

Please donate if you can, and please share this page everywhere. Let’s bring the person responsible to justice and take care of Jeff's boy. Thank you so much.

All donations are tax deductible with 501c3 not-for-profit Nevada Bicycle Coalition as the pass-through organization (EIN: 39-2067469). We are awaiting our Charitable Giving Fund approval from Go Fund Me. Questions? Write to Nevada Bicycle Coalition President Ky Plaskon.