Family members of man killed on bicycle seek public awareness of problem

Staff report

NEWTON FALLS

Family members of Michael S. Hunyady, 19, of Holcomb Road in Newton Township, a bicyclist who died after being struck by a car Sept. 25 on his way to work, say they hope the criminal charges the driver faces will make an impact on the public.

“I think this guy should be used as an example,” said Robert Tuchek, Hunyady’s stepfather.

Don S. Bryant, 53, of Newton Falls who is charged with felony aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a motor vehicle impaired, was in Newton Falls Municipal Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing. The hearing was set back a week or two to provide defense counsel with additional pretrial evidence.

But Tuchek and other family members who attended fear the public doesn’t understand the need to be careful around bicycle riders.

“After Michael died, I heard every day about someone being hit walking or riding a bike,” his mother, Jennifer Tuchek, said.

Family members say young adults like Michael are increasingly relying on bicycles for transportation or fitness. It’s good that Ohio has a new law that requires drivers to pass at least three feet away from bicyclists, but the state should also provide more bike lanes, they said.