Advertisement Retired teacher, athletic trainer killed in collision west of Omaha Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said a 56-year-old man is dead after a car vs. bicycle collision west of Omaha.Emergency crews were sent to the area of 260th Street and West Center Road around 12:30 p.m. Thursday.Deputies said a man later identified as James Johnston, 56, had been struck by a vehicle as he was riding his bicycle.-- Video: Retired teacher, athletic trainer killed in collisionJohnston was heading west as the driver of the vehicle was eastbound, when it struck Johnston.The cause of the accident remains under investigation.Ruth Jeffers, 82, was identified as the driver of the Ford Taurus that struck Johnston.Authorities said the investigation is not complete and charges will be decided through the county attorney sometime next week.Johnston was taken by medical helicopter to Alegent Creighton Health Creighton University Medical Center, where he died a short time later.Johnston had been a science teacher and was an athletic trainer at Millard West High School and a part of the Alegent Creighton Health Sports Medicine team.-- Video: Community devastated by cyclists' deathSchool officials said Johnston, an educator with Millard Public Schools for more than 30 years, was a "beloved and respected" member of their staff.Johnston repaired and protected thousands of Millard West athletes.“He was the trainer that I went to when I was injured. He helped me through a couple injuries,” said student-athlete Hannah Brown. “I just kind of lost it, and I never really got it back.”Despite profound sorrow, so many stepped forward to share memories of the athletic trainer and longtime teacher who just retired last year. “I always looked forward to talking to him about anything, you know, life lessons, sports that I’m playing in. He was always a helping hand for everyone that came in there,” said student-athlete Victor Beanum.“He was one that spent every single day, every single afternoon and a lot of evenings in this place. He dedicated a lot of hours to our students here,” said Dr. Greg Tiemann, Millard West principal.Students said Johnston even inspired others to follow in the field.“Next year I’m going to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study athletic training, and I’m hoping to be like him one day,” Brown said.News of the deadly bicycle crash brought double drama into the Bike Rack in west Omaha."He was a great guy to work with, always just the nicest, easy-going guy. He never was stressed. Everything was easy with Jim,” said Dylan Page, a bicycle mechanic.It was no surprise Johnston hit the road on such a beautiful day."I figured a guy like that would be out on a day like today,” Page said.Kelly Smith, Johnston’s bike mechanic, rode with him and saw him at almost every cycling event."He was outgoing, energetic, a spirited man. He just loved to be on the bike,” Smith said.Kelly said the challenge and the fun of cycling also mean risks on the road."It can spook you. It can spook you real hard,” he said. "It tears at you. It tears at you hard. Just pray for him and the family. We'll see him again."