Hamilton County, OH : Cyclist Michael Prater, 42, died in a hit-and-run crash in Anderson Township on Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2016
A well-known cyclist died Monday, a day after he was struck and thrown off his bike in a hit-and-run crash Sunday in Anderson Township.
At 10:30 a.m. Michael Prater, 42, succumbed to injuries he sustained after he was struck by an SUV, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
"It's always a tragedy when these senseless crashes occur," Cincinnati Cycle Club President Derek Drifmeyer said. Drifmeyer said he didn't know Prater personally, but had several mutual friends. "We all grieve together."
Family and friends remembered Prater as dedicated father and husband to his wife, Ellen, his 3-year-old son and 4-month-old daughter. Fellow cyclists remembered his sportsmanship.
"I have no words to convey the sadness I feel in sharing the news that my friend, Michael Prater, has passed," cyclist and friend Chauncey Joyce wrote on Facebook. "Michael touched many lives. He had an immense impact on me personally and I know that he was a huge influence on many others."
The Mobo Bicycle Coop is working to create a “ghost bike” in Prater’s honor. A tradition in the cycling community, the white bike will be placed at the scene of the crash as a memorial and reminder to motorists to share the road.
Eric Boltz spent Monday doing everything he could to help the Prater family. Boltz was paralyzed below the waist after he was struck by a vehicle while cycling last September, spurring him to create the BoltzStrong organization. He never competed directly against Prater, but they participated in the same races.
"We would have competed this year had things gone differently for both of us," Boltz said. This year would have been the first season they were in the same category racing head-to-head.
"We tried to recruit him to our team, but he liked racing unattached," Boltz said. "Michael had nothing to prove. He was in it for the fun and spent many races helping Chauncey do well."
A GoFundMe page has been set up for to help Prater's family get "back on our feet after this devastating loss," according to the page. People donated more than $8,000 within the first three hours it had been posted to help the Praters with medical bills, groceries, rent, childcare, education and other unforeseen expenses.
The Cincinnati Cycle Club and Queen City Bike in collaboration with Mobo Bicycle Coop and Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance will be hosting a memorial Ghost Ride for Prater at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lunken Airport. A memorial service will follow at 3:15 p.m. at Kellogg Park.
The charges for the driver arrested in connection with the crash were upgraded to aggravated vehicular homicide on Monday following Prater's death.
Melinda Woodall, 34, of Amelia, was driving west on Kellogg Avenue just before 4 p.m. near Asbury Road when her vehicle drifted into the shoulder, according to the sheriff's office.
According to court records, Woodall's license was suspended and drugs were a factor in the crash.
Investigators reported Prater was cycling in the same direction as Woodall's jeep. He was struck, thrown from his bicycle and landed on the road.
"This is a favorite route for many cyclists due to the wide shoulders, light traffic, and scenic views," Drifmeyer said. "Most cyclists say they feel very safe on that route."
Boltz said the route was a normal training run for Prater, “a ride he had literally done hundreds of times.”
Officials reported that Prater was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
"Preliminary information suggests that he was doing everything correct," Drifmeyer said.
Officials said Woodall left the injured Prater on the road and fled.
Cincinnati police and Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies reported they located Woodall's vehicle on Sutton Road, and with the help of a local resident found Woodall.
Court documents state police found five used syringes in her purse along with a metal spoon and tourniquet.
Officers also reported they recovered three pill bottles Woodall attempted to conceal in her bra. Alprazolam, Buprenorphine and Clonazepam pills officials said were in the bottles have resulted in three charges of possession of drugs. She has also been charged with possession of drug abuse instruments.
Woodall, who appears in some court documents as Melinda Wagner, has been convicted of driving on a suspended license at least twice before in 2006 and 2010.
She pleaded guilty in 2010 for permitting drug abuse in a case involving heroin and prescription pills.
A grand jury is scheduled to report on Woodall's case on Feb. 10. She is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $28,000 bond.
Prater's family announced Monday they'd like his passing to have a positive effect on the cycling community, specifically by raising awareness about the stalled Ohio House Bill 110.
The bill proposes increasing the penalties when drivers fail to stop after a traffic accident that results in the death of a person or serious physical harm to a person.
Source :
On bicyclist's death: 'We all grieve together'