Bicyclist on way to area killed in crash
MURRYSVILLE — A bicyclist from Ohio on his way to Altoona was killed early Thursday morning when his bike was hit from behind by a car.
Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth Bacha reported that Marcus Coblentz, 25, of Sugarcreek, Ohio, was killed in the accident.
Three other bicycle riders, all in their 20s and 30s, were taken to the hospital with “moderate injuries” and expected to recover, Murrysville police said.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene near the intersection of Route 22 and Brick Hill Road in Murrysville about 4 a.m. after a 16-year-old girl, operating a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze headed east on Route 22, struck the back of Coblentz’ bike.
The four bicyclists were traveling on Route 22 and were described as a church group traveling from Ohio to Altoona, Murrysville Police Chief Thomas Seefeld said. “One bicyclist was hit in the rear, subsequently the other bicyclists became involved.”
WTAE Channel 4 in Pittsburgh confirmed the men were Amish.
“Early indications is that they had on some reflective material and also had some blinking lights on their bicycles,” Seefeld said. “From everything that we gathered initially here is that the operator of the vehicle did not have time to react.”
The driver is cooperating with police, and no charges are expected to be filed, police said. The eastbound lanes of Route 22 were closed for several hours while police investigated the crash.
“It’s unfortunate,” Seefeld said. “It’s a shame that this happened.”