Coroner’s Office Identifies State College Bicyclist Killed in South Atherton Street Crash

Emergency responders were on the scene of a crash Monday, July 24, 2023, on the 3500 block of South Atherton Street in College Township. Photo by Kyle Klimek

The Centre County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of a 70-year-old State College bicyclist who died in a crash on Monday in College Township.

Douglas Barch died from blunt force trauma to the chest after the crash on the 3500 block of South Atherton Street. Barch was traveling northbound at about noon on a separated bike path before he suddenly entered the roadway and struck a northbound car, police wrote in a release earlier this week.

Emergency responders attempted life-saving aid, but Barch was pronounced dead at the scene.

Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, who knew Barch for about 10 years through the State College Cycling Club, described him as a “positive” and “very helpful” person.

“He was a very active member of the State College Cycling Club,” Higgins said. “There are a number of people he encouraged to take up cycling as a hobby. He didn’t look his age either. He was a fun guy to be around and always a pleasant companion on a bike ride.”

“He was a great guy and always pleasure to be around. The club’s definitely going to miss him.”

The crash, Higgins said, “definitely underscores the need” for safe bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the region.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to police. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor.

State College police, the Centre County crash reconstruction team, Centre LifeLink EMS, Boalsburg Fire Company, the Centre County Coroner’s Office and PennDOT responded to the scene on Monday.