Akron bicyclist killed in Springfield Township while crossing US 224; driver charged with vehicular homicide
A 55-year-old Akron man died Friday night when he was struck by a car at East Waterloo Road and Kubler Trail in Springfield Township.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said Akron resident Robert Kuba was crossing East Waterloo Road in the township (U.S. 224) when he was hit by a 2017 Honda Accord headed west.
The accident occurred about 8:20 p.m.
The patrol identified the driver of the Honda as Christopher Wines, 60, of Akron. He remained at the scene and was questioned by troopers.
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Troopers believe Wines was impaired by alcohol.
He was taken to Summit County Jail about 1 a.m. and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and a misdemeanor OVI violation, said highway patrol Lt. Jonathan A. Ganley.
Ganley said Wines was not charged with a traffic violation because the accident is still under investigation.
“This is such a preventable tragedy,” said Ganley. “If you plan on drinking, please designate a sober driver.”
Kuba died at the scene and was taken by the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Witnesses at the scene said Kuba was riding his bike, attempting to cross the road, when he was struck.
Ganley said fatal accidents have been on the rise in Summit County during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Last year, alone, we had 46 fatal crashes in Summit County,” he said. “This might be No. 10 in the county this year.”
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Ganley said the accident bore similarities to a fatal accident in Tallmadge this week. A 44-year-old man was struck and killed while walking on East Avenue near the Portage County line.
Terry L. D'Water was pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected in that incident, which was near the Brimfield Township retail area west of Interstate 76 that includes a Walmart Supercenter, Menards and other stores.
Ganley said pedestrians and bicyclists should be aware of their surroundings when walking along or traversing roadways. He said impaired driving has risen locally and nationally in the past couple of years.
“Impaired driving is on the rise since the pandemic,” he said. “The numbers show their has been an increase in impaired driving.”
U.S. 224 westbound was shut down for about two hours while troopers investigated the crash scene.
The accident scene is located about 200 feet from the Springfield Township Fire Department, which assisted at the scene. Springfield Township police also assisted.
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron bicyclist killed in Springfield Township while crossing U.S. 224
