A 58-year old Faribault man who was bicycling on a Rice County road Saturday was killed when a passing pickup struck him from behind, Rice County Sheriff's deputies said. The man's 55-year-old wife, who was on a training run for the upcoming Twin Cities Marathon, suffered cuts and bruises.
The man was identified as Terry Miller. His wife, Wendy Anderson, was taken to Northfield Hospital, where she was treated and released. The accident took place shortly before 7:30 a.m.
Deputies said that the pickup driver, Delbert Sorgatz of Waterville, was driving east on County Road 8 when he passed another truck and then struck the pair. Sgt. Troy Dunn said that Sorgatz passed the truck in a marked passing zone and that no citation was issued.
Miller and Anderson, also heading east, were bicycling and jogging in the westbound lane against oncoming traffic, Dunn said.
The accident took place a half-mile east of County Road 77 in Bridgewater Township, where the road is very narrow with little shoulder room, he said.
Brandee Finwall, Anderson's daughter, said her mother and stepfather regularly exercised together on Saturdays and enjoyed various outdoor activities. She said her mother had planned a 24-mile training run in preparation for the marathon and that she had run about 10 miles when the accident happened.
PAUL MCEnroe
