Wisconsin Man Dies Cycling on Trace

CHOCTAW CO, MS – Monday, April 20, 2015, at1:27 p.m., emergency responders responded to an incident involving a bicyclist on the Parkway south of Highway 82 at Milepost 201.

De Loyd E. Stertz, 87, of Altoona, WI, was riding his bicycle south on the Parkway when he was overcome by exhaustion and fell off his bicycle. He lost consciousness and could not be revived.

The Choctaw County Medical Examiner pronounced him deceased at the scene of the incident.

National Park Service Rangers, Choctaw County Sheriff Department, and Medstat Ambulance Service responded to the incident. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Rangers encourage recreationalists to know their limitations when engaging in recreational activities on the Parkway. Rangers encourage bicyclists to wear high visibility clothing and helmets and to use flashing lights and/or reflectors on their bicycles to increase their visibility to motorists.  Rangers warn against distracted driving and enforce the 3-foot passing regulation, which requires motorists to give a minimum of three-foot clearance to bicyclists when passing.