Paul Ziegler
An Elizabethtown teenager was killed Sunday while riding his bicycle near his college in Kansas, police said.
Paul Allen Ziegler, 19, was a student at McPherson (Kan.) College and lived in a dormitory on the campus, according to Capt. Joe Hoffman of the McPherson County Sheriff's Office. He was the son of Dale and Debra Ziegler, of 9103 Elizabethtown Road.
"He was just out riding his bike, about four miles out of town," Hoffman said. "He was by himself."
Ziegler was riding southbound on 18th Avenue at 12:45 p.m. when a northbound pickup truck drifted over the center line and struck him head-on, killing him on impact, the captain said.
The pickup truck was driven by 17-year-old Ethan Fowler, of 961 18th Ave., McPherson.
"He said he dropped his pocket knife and looked over to the passenger seat to see where he dropped it," Hoffman said. "He looked back up and was left of (the center line) and hit him."
"Inattention and an inexperienced driver contributed to the accident," he said. "It is sad to see a young man lose his life over something like this."
Ziegler was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel.
His body was taken to Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center in Wichita, where an autopsy is planned, Hoffman said.
It did not appear that there were any evasive maneuvers taken by Fowler or Ziegler, he said.
Fowler was "uncontrollable with anxiety" after the wreck, Hoffman said.
Hoffman said it appears Fowler was driving under the road's 55 mph speed limit at the time of the wreck.
"There's no evidence of alcohol impairment, and he was not texting," Hoffman said.
Police will be working with a Kansas prosecutor to determine if any charges will be filed.
The wreck happened two miles from Fowler's home, Hoffman said.
The area is a popular one for bicyclists, especially on weekends.
Dale Ziegler was once a student at McPherson College, Hoffman said. He told police he knew the area where his son was killed.
