Cyclist killed in TOSRV bike ride in Ohio

See updates:

May 7, 2009 — Jury reduces charges before convicting motorist

 Aug. 25, 2008 — “Motorist pleads not guilty to hit and run”

June 6, 2008 — “Felony charges sought in death of TOSRV bike tour rider”

A cyclist in Ohio's Tour of the Scioto River Valley bike tour was killed Sunday when he was struck from behind by a motorist while returning to Columbus. Identified as William Crowley, 57, of Northfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, he is the first traffic-related fatality in the history of the tour.

The TOSRV is one of the oldest bike tours in the US, celebrating its 47th anniversary this year. Started as a father-son bike ride in 1962, the classic bike tour draws some 2,800 bicyclists for the 105-mile bike ride to Portsmouth on Saturday, followed by the return to Columbus on the Sunday.

The Ohio State Patrol reported that Crowley was hit by the car while riding north in the right lane of US 23 near Piketon at about 7:50 a.m., about 18 miles north of Portsmouth.

The 35-year-old motorist, identified as Sara Bender of Lucasville, was not injured. According to reports, she drove to her home then returned to the scene of the collision about a half-hour later. She explained that she thought she had hit a traffic sign.

Route 23 is not the official route of the TOSRV, but many cyclists take that shortcut instead of the marked Route 104.

The ride has a rich history. It started with 2 riders in 1962 and grew every year to a high of 6,400-some cyclists in 1990. It dropped back to 2,000-3,000 riders in recent years.

It's always held on Mother's Day weekend. Read Touring Ohio for a description of the TOSRV.

The victim was identified as Dr. William Crowley Jr., a doctor at Toledo Hospital. He practiced critical care and general surgery, and also worked in Garden City, Novi, Pontiac, Saginaw and Southfield, according to the Detroit News.

Crowley, who practiced critical care and general surgery, also worked in Garden City, Novi, Pontiac, Saginaw and Southfield. He graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine