Saturday, August 8th, 2020
Bicyclist struck, killed
From staff reports
ROCKFORD - A Rockford man riding a recumbent bicycle along State Route 118 was killed on Friday afternoon when a pickup truck reportedly struck him from behind.
First responders were called to the scene on State Route 118, just north of Purdy Road, at about 1:04 p.m.
Emergency personnel found upon initial investigation that James. J. Riethman, 58, Rockford, had been traveling northbound on State Route 118 on a recumbent Sun Seeker three-wheel style bike when he was struck from behind by a 1994 Chevy S-10 operated by Lawrence J. Meyer, 57, Celina.
Riethman reportedly was ejected from the bike and landed in a ditch on the east side of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mercer County Sheriff's Office deputies were assisted at the scene by members of the Rockford EMS, fire and police departments and the Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers.
The crash remains under investigation.
It is the third fatal traffic accident in Mercer County this year.
