Sister of bicyclist killed gives killer a book to read in prison: 'Keep reading it until you get it'

William Rust’s sister was the second family member to speak at a sentencing Thursday for the man who killed Rust as he rode his bicycle on U.S. 52 last year

Kathy Meier talked about growing up with her older brother, her first friend, her “protector.”

She described Rust’s distinctive laugh (part belly laugh, part hyena, she said). She also talked about the pain and devastation 34-year-old Steven Sickle caused when he drove a car into Rust after snorting heroin.

Then Meier asked permission to give Sickle a book to read while he serves the 14-year sentence imposed by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Steven Martin.

The title: Alcoholics Anonymous.

“Keep reading it until you get it,” she told Sickle, who looked down somberly throughout the hearing. “I don’t want anyone else to go through the pain and anger that we are dealing with.”

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Martin said he was struck by the gesture.

“In the midst of this grief,” he said, “they give you a book to help straighten yourself out – that’s caring. That’s what good, decent people do.”

Sickle had pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, the sentence was set at 14 years, which is the maximum penalty under the law for the two charges.

It was revealed Thursday that Sickle was on probation at the time. He had been convicted in Brown County of a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge.

The crash happened in the late afternoon of May 22, 2017.

Rust, 61, was riding his bicycle on east U.S. 52 in Anderson Township. He was in the right lane.

Sickle had bought the heroin Downtown after getting off work, and according to witnesses was driving erratically. Near Nine Mile road, said Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor David Prem, he veered to the right and struck Rust.

The impact cracked the Nissan Maxima’s windshield. Rust’s bicycle helmet ended up inside the car, Prem said.

More: Deputies: Driver admitted 'snorting' heroin before crash that killed cyclist

Rust, co-owner of the Candle Lab in Over-the-Rhine, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sickle stopped briefly, then drove away. He was taken back to the scene by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy who saw his damaged car and ended up talking to him, Prem said.

It was later determined that Sickle “had a significant amount of heroin in his system,” Prem said.

Rust’s wife and children also made statements in a courtroom packed with family and friends.

“Not a day goes by that the kids and I don’t think about our tremendous loss,” said his wife, Mary.

His daughter, Katie, had talked to him by phone shortly before the crash. She was in Chicago, trying on dresses for a friend’s wedding.

The last thing her father said to her: “Alright, have fun. I’m going to go ride my bike.”

“Now more than anything, I wish I would have kept him on the phone a few minutes longer,” she said through tears.

One of Rust’s sons said there are many people who will never be the same.

“You hurt everyone here,” Charlie Rust said, then paused several seconds. “More than you know.”