CHOCTAW CO, MS – Monday, April 20, 2015, at 1:27 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.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a National Scenic Byway, which encourages
multiple uses and recreational activities, including scenic motoring,
bicycling, hiking, running and other activities.
MEDIA RELEASE/Natchez Trace Parkway / Calvin Farmer
