Troy Police Chief Shawn McKinney said the incident remains under investigation. Information from the investigation will be turned over to the Miami County Juvenile Court prosecutor for review, he said.
A city surveillance camera captured a portion of the incident at the park along the Great Miami River off North Elm Street.
McKinney said he reviewed that video. He reported he saw the pickup truck parked near the middle of the parking lot, with two bicyclists, one on each side of the vehicle. It appeared the bicyclists were talking to the occupants of the truck, the 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old female.
“The pickup truck starts to pull away at a relative slow speed. The bicyclist on the driver side of the pickup truck lets go. The deceased was on the passenger side … He continues to hang on until there is an area where the parking lot curves to the right, kind of a turn around area,” McKinney said. “When he (bicyclist) lets go, the pickup truck turns, the bicyclist is kind of propelled forward and the pickup truck struck him.”
The teen was trapped under the truck. Efforts by police and fire department personnel to free him were unsuccessful until more equipment was brought in to help lift the truck, McKinney said.
The teen was taken to Upper Valley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
A small wooden cross with blue flowers and a ribbon had been placed near the incident scene.
Troy City Schools had counselors available Tuesday for students, Superintendent Chris Piper said.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn about the passing of one of our students. We had a team of counselors ready to help students and staff as they arrived at school today, and they will remain there throughout the day. We also have a team from the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health here helping us,” Piper said.
“We know this is not a one-day event, and our counselors will continue to be available to students and staff in the future. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family and friends.”
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