By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is trying to unravel the details of how Larry Sattler died on Friday evening.
Sattler, 54, of Bloomdale, died Friday after being struck around 8:18 p.m., while bicycling on Oil Center Road near the intersection of Cloverdale Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the incident.
Initially, the sheriff’s office released information about a possible suspect, Derek Jones, 30, of Jerry City. This morning, however, another theory was released that Sattler was possibly hit by another unknown driver first, then Jones later hit him as he was lying in the road.
“It’s very complicated,” Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said.
Lt. Rod Smith, of the sheriff’s detective division, said this morning that Jones has not been charged. Jones has reportedly said he was driving down Oil Center Road and accidentally struck Sattler, who was already lying in the road.
“We do not know why Mr. Sattler was on the road in the first place,” Smith said.
Jones reportedly turned around and returned to the scene. A resident along Oil Center Road called 911. Jones was on the scene when deputies arrived, and stayed to talk with the deputies. He did not flee the area, Smith said.
Wasylyshyn said this morning that it remains unknown if another driver was involved.
“We know he (Jones) ran him over. We just don’t know if someone else did first,” the sheriff said.
The sheriff’s office has spoken with residents of the area who reported Jones was driving erratically in the area that evening.
The sheriff’s office is waiting for autopsy results from the Lucas County Coroner’s Office. And the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification will analyze the injuries and the damage to Jones’ vehicle, a dark blue Ford SUV. It is hoped Sattler’s injuries and the damage to the vehicle provide some answers, Wasylyshyn said.
“It’s a strange case. We’re all confused until we get the answers,” he said.
