Even though Butterfield took safety precautions like wearing a helmet and displaying flashing safety lights, he could not avoid hitting the dumptruck as it slowed on a hill, Beavercreek police said
"Unfortunately, he didn't notice the dump truck with its brake lights and turn signal activated, and the bicyclist hit the dump truck," Sgt. Andrew Worchester of the Beavercreek Police Department said.
Witness described the scene as "horrible."
"It's a really bad feeling. We saw him lying there, and we were hoping he'd be o.k.," Mike Dixon, Jamestown, said
As the weather warms, more people will be outside, and drivers need to pay more attention to smaller vehicles like bicycles and motorcycles who are on the road, police said.
Merlau will not face charges stemming from the crash, Beavercreek police said.
The crash remains under investigation.