A non-commissioned Naval officer with a zest for bicycling was so incensed by the hit-and-run death of 18-year-old David Wayne Aldridge II earlier this week that he is offering $1,000 of his own money to anyone who will give police information that could lead to resolving the case.

Neither the Honolulu Police Department nor the nonprofit CrimeStoppers Honolulu Inc. can do anything with the money being offered by Brian Donnelly due to logistical and bureaucratic considerations.

But Donnelly and the victim's father, Army Staff Sgt. David Wayne Aldridge, said yesterday they intend to discuss the situation with each other, even though the two have never spoken before.

Donnelly, 32, said news of the incident struck home for him. A 15-year veteran of the Navy, Donnelly said he rides six miles each way from his home in 'Aiea to Pearl Harbor daily.

"I've never met this family in my life, but just reading this article makes me very upset and angry," he said. Donnelly said he is hopeful the prospect of cash will appeal to someone who might have information but has not yet come forward to authorities.

The elder Aldridge, who was busy arranging for his son's funeral yesterday, said he was grateful for Donnelly's offer. Aldridge, through the media, has urged people to come forward with information on the case.

Aldridge said he may set up a bank account for the money and possibly other money that may come for such an effort.

Police said David Wayne Aldridge II, an 18-year-old Leilehua High School graduate, was bicycling home from work about 1:35 a.m. Tuesday on the shoulder of Kamehameha Highway near Dole Plantation when he was struck by an unknown vehicle.

Police and CrimeStoppers have urged the public to come forward with information. But yesterday police said that had not happened yet.

The story has generated dozens of commentaries on The Advertiser's Web site, many of them condemning the driver for failing to stop to render aid.

The elder Aldridge, who has been stationed at Schofield Barracks since November, said finding the driver "won't bring him back, but it will bring closure."

Aldridge said he is still coming to grips with the thought that the driver fled the scene.

"It's beyond my belief why you would hit somebody and leave him on the side of the road like a piece of trash," he said.

Donnelly contacted CrimeStoppers about adding his award money to what is already being offered by the organization.

But Sgt. Kim Buffett, Honolulu CrimeStoppers coordinator, said the organization is not set up to earmark specific funds toward a specific case. What's more, all tips are anonymous and even board members who meet monthly to determine who should be given rewards do not know the identities of those providing information.

"Our program is based strictly on you being anonymous; that's why we're so successful," Buffett said.

Likewise, HPD itself does not have a mechanism for either accepting or handing out reward money. And as is the case with all city agencies, all donations must be approved by the City Council.

"We appreciate the good will, but we're restricted by what we can do," said HPD spokesman Maj. Frank Fujii.

Donnelly would need to figure out on his own to whom rewards should be given and funnel the tips to HPD.

One thing Donnelly or someone else wishing to give a reward could do is wait until a case is brought to trial and completed, then review the court records to determine who would be deserving of a reward , Fujii said,

Other parties in similar situations have done that in the past, he said.

Donnelly said that, compared with other states, Hawai'i is "the most bike-friendly state I've ever lived in." Nonetheless, he said, "there have been some close calls" between his bike and cars.

He urged motorists and cyclists to be more careful on the road. Higher gas prices have resulted in more cyclists and that trend will only continue, he said.

"Drivers need to pay more attention because people are finding all kinds of alternative methods of commuting now," he said.

The Hawaii Bicycling League hosted a Ride of Silence through Honolulu yesterday to recognize the deaths of Aldridge and other cyclists killed in traffic accidents.

Aldridge's was the second death of a cyclist on O'ahu roads this year.