Pelotonia Bicyclist Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle

A Reynoldsburg woman who was participating in Pelotonia, a fund-raising bike ride, died Saturday afternoon after being hit by a pick-up truck along the route in Hocking County.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the victim as 57-year-old Michelle Kazlausky.

Investigators said Kazlausky was among a group of riders traveling eastbound on state Route 374 preparing to turn left onto state Route 180 when the incident happened.

A state trooper in a reflective vest was directing traffic at the intersection at about 2:18 p.m. He was standing near his cruiser, which had its lights on. According to OSP, the trooper directed a pick-up truck that was traveling southbound on S.R. 180 to stop for the bikers and a support vehicle that was following them.

Investigators said the driver did not stop in time. According to a report from OSP, Kazlausky anticipated a collision and laid her bike on the ground. OSP said the driver of the pick-up truck also anticipated the crash and attempted evasive action.

The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was separated from her bike. She was hit by the vehicle, but the bicycle was not.  

Don Williams lives near the intersection of S.R. 180 and S.R. 374. He was inside when the accident happened but went outside when he heard the commotion. "We went down and saw that she was laying on the ground and they were working on her at the time," he said.

Doctors and nurses who were accompanying the bicyclists provided treatment to Kazlausky at the scene before she was taken to Hocking Valley Hospital. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The pick-up driver was also transported to an area hospital for reported chest pains. The driver was identified as 57-year-old Ervin Blackston, of Rockbridge.

OSP impounded the pick-up truck, which will be examined.  Trooper Max Norris said a preliminary investigation showed the brakes on the pick-up truck may have malfunctioned.

The information from the investigation will be appended to the accident report and will be forwarded to the Hocking County Prosecutor for possible charges.

Pelotonia organizers gave bicyclists the option to continue on the route.  Many of the participants continued. A program was held in Athens, during which riders were informed of the crash.

Approximately 4,000 bicyclists were registered to take part in the event, which is staged to raise money to fight cancer.

Pelotonia organizers released the following statement:

The Pelotonia family is saddened that Michelle Kazlausky, one of the 4,000 plus riders in today’s Pelotonia event, was involved in a vehicular accident which has tragically claimed her life.

The safety of all riders is paramount to Pelotonia.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is leading the accident investigation.

We are deeply saddened by this terrible news. We ask that you keep the Kazlausky family in your thoughts and prayers.

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