Cross-country cyclist raising money for Gulf Coast oil spill victims killed in highway crash

Cyclist raising money for spill killed in crash

GULF BREEZE, Fla. — A Florida man on a cross-country bicycle ride to raise awareness and money for victims of this year’s massive Gulf oil spill was struck and killed by a passing vehicle just days before finishing the journey.

Roger Grooters began his ride across America Sept. 10 in Oceanside, Calif. The 66-year-old man’s family tells the Pensacola News Journal that he was just days from finishing his 3,200-mile ride when he was hit by a truck outside Panama City, Fla., Wednesday morning.

Funeral services are planned for Monday in Gulf Breeze near Pensacola Beach.

Information from: Pensacola News Journal, www.pensacolanewsjournal.com