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Steven R. Adams: Celebration of life planned for prominent attorney killed in hit-and-run

Unknown driver struck Adams on his bicycle
Greater Cincinnati-based defense attorney Steven Adams, pictured during an interview with WCPO, February 2020.
Posted at 11:14 AM, Nov 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-05 11:15:21-05

CINCINNATI — Family and friends of Steven R. Adams will gather this weekend to remember and celebrate the life of the 55-year-old attorney who died over the weekend after a hit-and-run driver struck him on his bicycle.

Early Sunday morning, Cincinnati police said Adams was riding along Eastern Avenue in Linwood when an unknown driver struck him and drove away, leaving the prominent defense attorney injured on the road. Adams later died after being transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

As of Thursday morning, investigators had not identified a suspect or vehicle description. Investigators did not immediately know if speed or impairment were factors in the crash.

According to Adams' law office's Facebook page, the celebration of life will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m., at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on Riverside Drive.

"All are welcome," the post announcing the gathering states, but there is one catch: "You must be prepared to tell your best Steve Adams story."

Before launching his private practice 20 years ago, Adams became well-known among other attorneys and local judges during his eight years as Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor.

"This morning the Cincinnati area lost a great attorney," Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, a former colleague of Adams', wrote in a statement Sunday afternoon. "He was an even better father and friend. Steven R. Adams was unforgettable. My prayers are with his wife and kids. May God rest his soul."

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Ruehlman also remembers Adams fondly.

"I'll miss his friendship," Ruehlman said. "He's just a fun guy to hang out with, you know?"

After leaving the prosecutor's office, Adams' practice focused primarily on DUI defense cases and divorce proceedings, according to his firm's website. He was also a triathlete.

A visitation also is planned for Friday, Nov. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Geo. H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home, located at 3183 Linwood Ave. Visitors are welcome to attend, but masks are required, according to the funeral home's obituary for Adams.

Anyone with information about the crash, including the identity of the driver or the model of their vehicle, should call Cincinnati traffic investigators at 513-352-2514.