Bicyclist dies in early morning crash in Marion

MARION — A Marion man died early Saturday morning when his bicycle was hit by a car on Fairgrounds Road. The Marion post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that Nathan Smith, 18, was riding west in the eastbound lane of Fairgrounds Road east of Likens Chapel Road at 12:14 a.m. John Kearns Jr., 20, of Marion, headed west on Fairgrounds Road in a 1998 Honda Civic, attempted to pass another westbound vehicle when his car hit Smith’s bike, the patrol said. A press release from the patrol stated that Smith was ejected from the bicycle and the car drove off the south side of the road. The car left the scene but the driver returned later, the patrol said. Smith was pronounced dead at Marion General Hospital. The patrol stated that Smith was not wearing a helmet or other safety equipment at the time of the crash. There was no light or reflectors on the bike, according to the patrol. Kearns was not injured. The crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. The Marion Township Fire Department and the Marion Police Department provided assistance. These is so sad and i am posting it to let you guys know what happen to one of my friends please pray for his family