1 dead after crash on Rt. 22 involving bicyclists traveling from Ohio to Altoona
MURRYSVILLE, Pa. (WTAE) — "You can see traffic moving once again in the east and westbound lanes of Route 22. It's those east bound lanes that were closed for hours this morning after four bicyclists were hit. One of them did not survive."
Murrysville Police Chief Thomas Seefeld is calling the crash a tragic accident.
Four bicyclists were hit by a vehicle along Route 22 near Brick Hill Road at around 4 a.m.
"This is a church group, a group of bicyclists from Ohio, that were actually traveling from Ohio to Altoona when the one bicyclist was hit in the rear,” Seefeld said. “Subsequently the other bicyclists became involved."
One of the riders -- a 25-year-old man -- died on scene.
Three others were taken to the hospital with what the chief described as moderate injuries.
Investigators believe two of the riders were on the roadway, the other two on the berm, when they were hit.
"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."
That driver -- a 16-year-old girl -- and her 17-year-old passenger -- stayed on scene.
The chief says she's cooperating with investigators and doesn't believe drugs or alcohol played a factor.
He says they don't expect to file any charges -- but this investigation is ongoing.
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