St. Peter Teenager Killed When Bicycle Hit by Vehicle

A South Central High School student was killed Friday morning when his bicycle was struck by a vehicle.

15-year-old Nathan Horath, (also known as Nathan Leasher) of St. Peter was riding his bicycle on Illinois 185, 1-1/2 miles east of St. Peter when the bicycle was struck by a vehicle driven by 59-year-old Sandra Gelsinger of Brownstown.  Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen pronounced Horath dead at the scene of the crash at 6:22am.

Bowen said the teenager was riding near the centerline of the highway about 5:30am and said it was still dark and rainy at the time of the incident.  Gelsinger was taken to Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia after the incident.

South Central Superintendent Rick Batchelor said local ministers, their high school counselor and high school principal were all on hand at school Friday morning to talk with students about the death of their fellow student.  Batchelor, who has a degree in counseling, also assisted.