COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A local bicyclist who was critically injured in a weekend accident died Tuesday night.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Steven Barbour, 51, died from his injuries at OSU Medical Center Main Tuesday night, an OSU Medical Center spokesperson said.
Barbour was transported to OSU Medical Center after he was involved in an accident around 6 a.m. Saturday in Hilliard.
Edward S. Miller, 28, of Newark was driving a pickup truck and Barbour was riding a bicycle westbound on Cemetery Road and Norwich Street, authorities said.
Miller allegedly hit Barbour and was charged with aggravated vehicular assault, a third-degree felony.
Authorities said Miller’s blood-alcohol content was .109 when the crash happened. Before Saturday’s incident, Miller had only minor traffic violations.
As prosecutors continued to work on the criminal side of the story, NBC 4’s Patrick Preston spoke with Barbour’s friends Wednesday.
“Steve was a great soul -- a real leader in our cycling community. He led rides. He was everywhere all the time,” Jeff Stephens said.
“Even his family realized there was some risk involved with cycling but knew that he loved it so much that they never questioned what he did,” Stephens said.
“Right now, the cycling community is in shock and really, actually, quite angry,” he said.
“This will probably be the highest profile cycling fatality we've had here, and it will galvanize and bring the cycling community together in a way we probably haven't seen before,” Stephens said.
“Steve was as safe as they come on the road, and he didn't deserve what happened to him,” Stephens said.
“Whether it's negligence, text-messaging, lack of attention, or in this case, potentially alcohol, it's all the same end result.” Stephens said. “We have to do things to have our drivers more aware.”
Miller was taken to the Franklin County jail Saturday and made his first appearance in court Monday.
He was arraigned and given a $5,000 cash surety bond and a $20,000 appearance bond for a total bond of $25,000.
Miller was released on bond Monday.
A preliminary hearing was set for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
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