There were no signs of impaired driving in an accident near Towanda two weeks ago that killed a 69-year-old bicyclist from Bloomington, authorities said Friday.
Craig E. Ryan was struck and killed June 9 while riding his bike by himself near McLean County 1900 East Road and Candle Ridge Road north of Towanda, authorities said. Ryan had taken several precautions; he was wearing a helmet, had a light flashing on his bike, and was apparently riding on the side of the road, said McLean County sheriff’s department Sgt. Jon Hofmann.
There’s still an inherent danger in riding a bike on a county road where motorized traffic can be moving at speeds upwards of 55 miles an hour, he said.
“Unfortunately, things like this do happen,” Hofmann said.
The driver of the vehicle was issued a speeding ticket shortly after the accident, Hofmann said. The sheriff’s department’s investigation has concluded, he said, and that information has been passed to the McLean County state’s attorney’s office to determine whether other charges will be filed. State's Attorney Erika Reynolds told WGLT that "materials have been submitted to the lab and we are waiting on results ... before we can make a charging decision."
There were “no indications whatsoever” that the vehicle’s driver was impaired, Hofmann said.
Ryan, a married father and grandfather, was a State Farm retiree, according to his obituary. He was also a musician who loved biking, hiking and the outdoors. He was part of the McLean County Wheelers biking group.
There will be a celebration of life for Ryan from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 7, at the Davis Lodge at Lake Bloomington.
