DELAWARE (WCMH) — The cyclist community at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is in mourning this evening after one of their own was struck and killed while out riding Tuesday morning in Delaware County.

Authorities say that bicyclist was 39-year old Westerville resident Michael Tighe.

Deputies say Tighe was wearing a helmet and a safety belt during the accident.

Tighe was riding his bike westbound on the right side of the berm when a car crossed over the white line and hit him.

Tighe was pronounced dead at the scene.

A father of two and an avid nature lover, he will be missed by his friends and family.

According to his Pelotonia profile, Tighe decided to ride in his first Pelotonia bike ride after being diagnosed with cancer and having been in remission – in the words of the OSU Oncology nurse it was time he “finally got around to doing this.”

Tighe an OSU alumni worked at OSU East Hospital since 2004 and joined team Buckeye this year.

Making it his mission to ride in honor of his mother and family and friends who lost their lives to cancer.

Mary Howard, executive director at university east hospital said in a statement…

“I speak for all here at East Hospital when I say we send our deepest sympathies and thoughts to Michael’s family, friends and co-workers.”

After learning of Tighe passing, Pelontonia president and CEO Doug Ulman sent this statement over to NBC 4 saying…

“All of us at Pelotonia extend our deepest condolences to Michael’s family, whose grief must be immeasurable at this time. We, and the entire Pelotonia community, will carry Michael in our hearts as we continue our mission-driven work that was so personal to Michael.”

U.S. 36 westbound was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Troopers continue to investigate the crash.