25-year-old bicyclist killed in Murrysville crash

Tony LaRussa And Paul Peirce
Thursday, July 22, 2021 12:01 a.m. | Thursday, July 22, 2021 12:01 a.m.

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Courtesy of WPXI-TV

A car struck four bicyclists early Thursday morning along Route 22 in Murrysville. One of the cyclists was killed in the crash.

Courtesy of WPXI-TV

The car involved in a fatal crash with four bicyclists riding along Route 22 in Murrysville early Thursday morning was towed from the scene. One of the cyclists was killed and three others were injured. The vehicle’s front and rear windshields were shattered as a result of the crash.

Courtesy of Murrysville Medic One

Police say a 25-year-old bicyclist died when he was struck by a car early Thursday along Route 22 eastbound in Murrysville.

A 25-year-old bicyclist was killed and three companions from a church group in Ohio were injured Thursday after they were struck by a car along Route 22 in Murrysville, police said.

The crash occurred about 4 a.m. along Route 22 eastbound, east of Harrison City Road, Chief Thomas P. Seefeld said.

“Upon arrival, officers observed that a car and four bicycles were involved. One of the bicyclists, a 25-year-old male, was deceased, and the three other bicyclists were injured,” Seefeld said in a release.

The coroner’s office identified the victim as Marcus A. Coblentz of Sugarcreek, Ohio. The village in Tuscarawas County is about 80 miles south of Cleveland.

Coblentz was pronounced dead at the scene by deputy coroner Joshua Zappone. The cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma to his head and trunk. The death was ruled accidental.

The coroner’s office said Coblentz was wearing a helmet.

Seefeld said the bicyclists were part of a church group from Ohio traveling to Altoona.

According to an online obituary, Coblentz was a member of the New Order Amish Church and owned a business, Professional Concrete. Survivors include his parents and four siblings.

Funeral services for Coblentz are to be held Sunday in a private Sugarcreek residence.

The driver of the car, a 16-year-old girl, “did not have time to react prior to impact,” Seefeld said.

He said the car, a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, first hit one of the rear bicycles and, subsequently, the other bicycles became involved. The bicycles were equipped with reflective lights, Seefeld said.

The injured bicyclists were transported to AHN Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville for treatment of moderate injuries.

The teenage driver and her passenger, a 17-year-old girl, were not injured. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Pennsylvania State Police are assisting with the crash reconstruction, Seefeld said.

The crash happened on Route 22 eastbound near Brick Hill Road, according to a Westmoreland County 911 supervisor.

SR 22 eastbound is now open between Harrison City Rd and Mellon Rd

— Murrysville Police (@MurrysvillePD) July 22, 2021

The road was closed between Harrison City and Mellon roads after the crash. The eastbound lanes of Route 22 were reopened shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to the super­visor.

Traffic in the westbound lanes was not affected.

UPDATE: Route 22 is now open in both directions between Harrison City and Mellon Roads. @AlyssaRaymond is still gathering details and will have a full report today on Channel 11 News at Noon. https://t.co/cIzFTj5m9B

— WPXI Traffic (@WPXITraffic) July 22, 2021

Seefeld said the investigation is ongoing.

“Once the investigation is complete, we’ll see if any charges are warranted,” he said.

Miller Funeral Care of Walnut Creek, Ohio, is in charge of funeral arrangements. A representative of the funeral home said Coblentz was Amish.