Pennsylvania triathlete, Kristen Oswald killed during bicycle of Ohio triathlon after being struck by commercial truck while riding outside established safety zones.
A Pennsylvania triathlete has died after being struck by a commercial truck while cycling during the bike leg of an Ohio triathlon.
Kristen Oswald, 44, of Royersford, died early Sunday after she veering outside an established safety zone for bicyclists on a highway in Delaware County as part of the Ironman 70.3 Ohio Triathlon, Ohio State Highway Patrol officials said.
Oswald, who was wearing a helmet at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a white tractor-trailer driven by Claude Tremblay, a 55-year-old Canadian man from Sarnia, Ontario, authorities said.
Tremblay was not charged and neither alcohol nor drugs were expected to be a factor in the crash, Lt. Robert Sellers said.
This woman tragically lost her life today while racing the bike leg of Ironman Ohio 70.3. I found this photo of her racing in a previous triathlon. I wanted to share so we could all honor her life & say a prayer for her family & loved ones. Kristen Oswald. Rest in Peace 💗 pic.twitter.com/J2Axbe8nGC
— Katy Murray (@trikatykid70_3) July 29, 2019
44-year old Kristen Oswald killed by a semi during @IRONMANtri 70.3 Ohio. #itcouldbeme https://t.co/SP9CTVc5Cl
— Bekah (@bolderbekah) July 28, 2019
Why did an experienced triathlete travel outside designated bike safety zone?
‘We don’t know why yet, but the bicycle traveled outside of the safety zone and into traffic,’ Sellers told ABC News. ‘The driver stopped right after the accident. We did conduct a Department of Transportation inspection as well. But he does not appear to be at fault in any way.’
The fatal wreck closed westbound lanes along US 23 for roughly three hours and sent race officials scrambling to track down Oswald’s husband, who also took part in the competition.
Triathlon officials in a released statement said that the accident occurred shortly after the bike portion of the race.
‘Our condolences go out to the athlete’s family and friends, who we will continue to support,’ race officials told via WBNS. ‘We are continuing to work with local and state authorities to gather all the details of how this incident occurred and will assist them in any way possible.’
Of note, more than 2,500 people were registered to compete in the triathlon, the Delaware Gazette reported. It wasn’t necessarily understood if overcrowding and congestion may have led to Oswald venturing outside designated bike lanes.
