Man HIt & Killed During Bike Race

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Man HIt & Killed During Bike Race

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Posted: 11:36 AM May 12, 2008
Last Updated: 11:36 AM May 12, 2008
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

32 comments

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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WSAZ)--A bicyclist riding in the Tour of the Scioto Valley bike race between Portsmouth and Columbus Sunday morning was killed when he was hit from behind by a SUV.

It happened on Route 23 just south of Piketon. Investigators say Sara Bender from Lucasville struck and killed William Crowley.

Crowley was riding alone and was off the "official" route of the tour at the time.

The Highway Patrol says Bender drove home after hitting Crowley, then returned to the accident scene about a half an hour later, telling troopers she thought she'd hit a sign.

Troopers say it was raining at the time of the accident. Sara Bender has not been charged and the accident is still under investigation by the Highway Patrol.

William Crowley was 57. He lived in Northfield, Michigan.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: CITIZEN OF MI on Jun 5, 2008 at 01:50 PM
I WORKED WITH DR. CROWLEY FOR YEARS AT A MICHIGAN HOSPITAL. HE WAS A TRAUMA SURGEON AND I AM SURE HE HAD SEEN MANY ACCIDENTS IN HIS LIFE AND I'M SURE HE LEARNED FROM EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THE GIRL WAS ON HER CELL PHONE AND SWERVED OFF THE ROAD AND HIT HIM FROM BEHIND. IS THAT TRUE?

Posted by: Bill Nicholson on May 27, 2008 at 10:02 PM
It wasn't a race. Please check your facts.

Posted by: Cyclists Are People Too on May 20, 2008 at 06:08 PM
To the apologists for Sara Bender: If she had been driving with appropriate care and caution, this accident would have never happened. She hit a man and left him to die on the road like an animal. How can you possibly hit a 165-pound object and not notice it, or think it was just a sign? Sara Bender is lying, pure and simple.

Posted by: kaye on May 20, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I say this was a horrible accident, but she should have stopped even if she thought she hit a sign. It is against the law too to hit signs and not pay for them. I feel for all involved.

Posted by: citizen on May 15, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I have known the driver my entire life. She is one of the most decent, compassionate, hard-working indivuals I have ever met. This was a horrible accident that could have happened to any driver. I know that she would give anything to trade places with the victim.

Posted by: citzen on May 15, 2008 at 03:06 PM
yea you are right Fawn bicycles have every right as cars but they do need to pay more attention I think they not paying attention to what they doing because if they was there wouldnt been two out of the same bunch get hit There was one in portsmouth got hit on sat.out of that same bunch I think news channel 3 needs to tell the viewers about that one I heard it was a cooper women from Ky hit that one and they took him to the hospital The Bike riders should have ins.to cover peoples cars when they scatch them up. They should have to get licenses to to make sure they know how to ride and pay attention.

Posted by: Fawn on May 13, 2008 at 06:19 PM
The bicycles are vehicles and have every right to be on the road, just as much as a car. You can be sure that the deceased knew the laws of riding safely. Ms Bender is very much at fault, being a negligent driver, she was probably on her cell phone not paying attention. Cycling is very common in this country and overseas, it would be to southern Ohio's advantage to get a bike and ride, get healthier, and use less gas.

Posted by: tammy on May 13, 2008 at 05:13 PM
i went to school with sara she would never hurt anyone. yes she made shouldn't have left the scene and came back ynless she knew something was wrong. but she made a mistake. everyone does.

Posted by: MJM on May 13, 2008 at 05:10 PM
This is a horrible accident that happened. It's unfortunate that some of you jump to conclusions about the driver and the bicyclist. I can assure you that the driver and her family are suffering a great deal right now. Sara didn't wake up on Sunday morning with the intent on killing someone. She will be dealing with this for the rest of her life and it could have happened to anyone. Please have some compassion for everyone involved.

Posted by: joseph on May 13, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I'm confused? she thought she hit a sign? If she thought she hit a sign what gave her the idea to drive back to the scene? It's only a sign. last time I hit something in the road bird pop can etc.. I didn't go back to the scene to check. She should be charged with leaving scene of personal injury accident. OR did someone call her and tell her to come back and concoct this story? someone protecting something here?

Posted by: Julie on May 13, 2008 at 02:13 PM
I am from Scioto County and have participated in this event for three years. It is very sad that we, as cyclists are respected in Franklin, Pickaway, and Ross counties. Once we are south of Waverly it is very dangerous. Cars do not slow down, they drive too fast and too erratically. They honk their horns, I personally witnessed a car pull out in front of a pack of at least seven cyclists. Love it or hate it, this event has been going on for 47 years, just stay off the route. We have the same rights as a car, and yes there will be some that do not follow the traffic rules, but the vast majority do. Do not let you opinion of a few bad apples cloud your view of cyclists. Hopefully something good will come of this tragedy, let's all pay more attention when we are driving, put down the cell phone and other distractions. Cyclists are a great bunch of people, we have fun, we participate in a healthy activity. And we are all grieving the loss of one of our own.

Posted by: Erin on May 13, 2008 at 01:26 PM
The man talking about SUV drivers should definitely get a life. I personally know this person and she has been driving an SUV most of her life.

Posted by: Frank on May 13, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Just like the police officer in Ironton this lady wasn't hauled off to jail. Suppose some of you think only cops and rich people who drive SUV's don't have to pay for their crimes. What you don't realize is that we're all out to get you!

Posted by: Mike on May 13, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I hate it when Cyclist wont obay the traffic laws, They act as if they are invincible. They have a right to ride their bikes. But common sence should tell them to move for a car. When I ride I figure the biggest vehickle has the right of way. I have nothing to proove. And i am still here.

Posted by: citzen on May 13, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Is that true there was one hit in portsmouth on saturday what wroung with this group of bike riders aint they paying any attention. someone said they seen a bunch of people standing around someone Sat. but they didnt know wat happen but they could see blood everywhere is it the riders fault or the people driving not paying attention to where they going the person said there was a white van there where the one got hit in portsmouth. Wake up people.

Posted by: karen on May 13, 2008 at 10:57 AM
i am amazed at the comments i'm reading! This was a very unfortunate accident. she is not,as some have assumed,a careless driver who has alot of money. She is a good person who cares for people everyday. i agree with those who say the bikers need to be more considerate for the cars. some just tempt fate the ride. my prayers are with both families at this most difficult time!

Posted by: BIRDEYE on May 13, 2008 at 09:20 AM
COME ON I DONT BUY HER STORY!!HIT A SIGN MAYBE THIS IS HER WAKE UP CALL!!!!!!

Posted by: Bryan on May 13, 2008 at 07:48 AM
To "anonymous" below making comments about SUV owners. You are obviously a very unhappy person. The woman who hit the bicyclists obviously was shaken and very upset. I drove on US23 that morning. It was raining so hard you could barely see the road. I own a SUV. Are you jealous? About "Joe's" comment. You obviously are very cold hearted. A life has been taken. It could have been yours. Try to show some compassion. I'm sure if the lady was responsible she will pay the price but I'm sure she has already paid quite a price already. We should pray for her and this gentlemen's family. Undoubtedly, he will be missed by many friends and loved ones.

Posted by: Lee on May 13, 2008 at 06:05 AM
I have to agree with Mona. Many people in the area dread the event as it is difficult to get from point a to point b when this is going on, even if you are traveling at 10 mph. Many of them do not obey traffic laws.

Posted by: Joe on May 13, 2008 at 02:16 AM
Bout time! These bikers hog the streets here in Portsmouth. They wont let you pass them and they cut out in front of you. I am surprised more do not get mowed down. They are like a swarm of ants that set in and infest the town. Maybe they will cancel this or have them go elsewhere!

Posted by: Christina on May 12, 2008 at 11:12 PM
On an early, rainy, Sunday morning, on my way to work, Im sure the last thing I would have thought I hit was a person too. Bicyclers are alot easier to see when they go in groups and wear bright clothing. I'm sure she is very sorry, and accidents do happen.

Posted by: marsha on May 12, 2008 at 10:52 PM
its amazing how stupid some of these comments are. Its also obvious that the person who commented on the SUV drivers at 9:36 is upset that they can't afford one. How can you tell if the person has money or what kind of worker they are what an idiot! My prayers are with the family this is a tragidy.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2008 at 09:36 PM
The majority of the people who drive these SUV's shouldn't be behind the wheel. It's to much car for them. I don't know how many times one has crossed the center line and almost hit me, and look and it's a woman with money or a man who looks like he wouldn't even get his hands dirty to change a tire. You should have to take a driver's test in an SUV if you're going to drive one. I guarantee you half the people who drive them couldn't pass a test in one. It may even help the environment a little!

Posted by: okay on May 12, 2008 at 05:45 PM
how is all these people getting hit on there bike dont they pay any attention There was another one of these bike rider got hit on saturday in portsmouth look to me like they need to start paying attention.Why didnt channel 3 tell about that one getting hit they had to take him to the hospital. A Cooper women hit him.Come on news channel 3 do your job

Posted by: Lee on May 12, 2008 at 05:38 PM
This is a tragic accident, but I am surprised it hasn't happened before now.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Someone flying in an SUV. The majority of the people who drive SUV's, should'nt be behind the wheel, because it's to much vehicle for them. I think you should have to take a driver's test in one if you are going to drive one.

Posted by: wow on May 12, 2008 at 02:17 PM
what with these bike riders getting hit I hear there was another one got hit in Portsmouth on saturday.The news never told about that one.

Posted by: Mona on May 12, 2008 at 02:14 PM
It is unfortunate that this accident happened and my prayers go out to both families in this tragedy. But as a lifelong resident of the St. Rt. 104 area I can honestly say that the majority of the people along this route hate this event. I am just surprised that there hasn't been more accidents and fatalities. The bicyclist rarely follow the traffic laws or stay to the official route. They are a a big headache to motorist and I know Portsmouth loves having them to spend their money there but those of us who contend with them on the road would rather they stay home. Or maybe the state could build them a bike path. My advice would also be to change the date and spend Mother's Day weekend with your mom like some of us would like to do if we could get on the highway.

Posted by: Db on May 12, 2008 at 01:09 PM
OMG there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between a Person and a sign......how stupid is people.......

Posted by: Scott on May 12, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Someone who cannot tell the difference between a STREET SIGN and a HUMAN ON A BICYCLE doesn't need to be driving at all. A shame.

Posted by: cindy on May 12, 2008 at 11:53 AM
how old was the lady that hit mr. Crowley? i myself was to hit any thing would stop to see what it was! evev if it was a sign it could of done some damage to my car to report it to my insurance co.my prayers go out for the Mr. Crowley"s family and also the lady that hit him...

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