KENTON — Officials in Hardin County on Wednesday afternoon released the name of a bicyclist that was struck and killed on a state highway earlier that morning.
According to a statement issued by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, 17-year-old Jayden Elwood of Ada died as a result of the incident that occurred on state Route 235 near Hardin County Road 80, north of Alger.
An earlier press release said that Hardin County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 5:07 a.m. in reference to a bicyclist possibly being struck by a tractor-trailer while traveling north on state Route 235. Deputies located the bicycle and rider off the east side of the roadway. The rider, later identified as Elwood, was deceased.
The tractor-trailer — which continued from the scene — was later stopped south of the Kenton city limits. The semi-tractor was found to have damage consistent with the crash. The driver of the semi, Thomas Karl, 51, of Harrod, reportedly acknowledged that he had been operating his vehicle along the route and told investigators he believed he had struck an animal. After stopping to look for damage and for what may have been struck, he then proceeded on from the scene after not observing anything or anyone, according to the initial press release.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone who may have information that may help in identifying him is asked to contact the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office at 419-673-1268, Option 0.
Deputies were assisted by the Kenton Police Department, Upper Scioto Valley EMS and the Hardin County Coroner’s Office.
