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Bond set for driver accused of striking, killing cyclist while under influence of heroin

Suspect admitted he 'snorted dope,' police say
Posted at 12:14 PM, May 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-23 14:19:43-04

CINCINNATI – Bond is set for a man police say admitted to using heroin when he struck and killed a 61-year-old cyclist Monday night.

Steve Sickle, 33, is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and failure to stop.

Judge Brad Greenberg set Sickle's bond at $600,000: $500,000 for aggravated vehicular homicide and $100,000 for failure to stop.

William Rust III, 61, was riding his bicycle along the shoulder of U.S. Route 52 in Anderson Township when a car driven by Sickle drifted off the road and struck him, according to deputies. Rust was thrown from his bicycle; Sickle fled the scene without stopping or attempting to help.

An affidavit said Sickle continued along Route 52 before turning right onto Steamboat Lane. He pulled into Steamboat Bend Campground and returned to the scene of the crash, driven by a camper.

According to a court affidavit, Sickle admitted he ‘snorted dope’ Monday before driving. He told police that he snorted $10 worth of heroin purchased Downtown.

According to his attorney, Sickle now denies that he took heroin and says he didn't know he hit someone.

Sickle is scheduled to be back in court on June 1.