Woodruff County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Bell
tells me that the State Police are nearing completion of an investigation of the death July 2 of a cross-country bicyclist that occurred when a motorist drove into the rear of a group of cyclists on a highway near McCrory.

Merritt Levitan, 18, of Milton, Mass., died. Teagan Martin, 21, of Newport has been identified as the driver of the car that hit a group of riders on a cross-country trip.

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Bell, who has been quoted previously as saying a charge of some type is likely, said screening of Martin’s blood  was just completed and it found no trace of alcohol or drugs. The State Police investigation includes checks of data recorder in Martin’s car and cell phone use records to see if that could have played a role.

Bell said a final decision could come as early as the coming week.

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