HANOVER — A 23-year-old Watertown, Mass., man was killed while riding a bike on Route 2 in western Maine this morning. He was one of a group of approximately 140 Athenahealth employees from Maine and Massachusetts participating in the 29th annual Trek Across Maine.

David LeClair of Watertown was riding with a group of friends as part of Trek when he was reportedly struck by the rear portion of a passing tractor trailer. LeClair was killed instantly, according to state Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland.

The accident occurred approximately 9 miles from where the day's planned 60-mile ride started, in Newry. LeClair worked for Athenahealth in its Watertown office.

"Friends he was riding with stopped to render assistance and called police with a description of the truck, which did not stop," said McCausland.

A truck matching the description was reportedly stopped in Rumford by police a short time later. McCausland said the driver is being interviewed and the truck is being examined by State Police troopers, who have been investigating the crash since it occurred around 8:45 a.m. Friday.

Trek Across Maine is a fundraising event for the American Lung Association. More than 2,200 cyclists ride approximately 180 miles over three days, taking off June 14 from Sunday River in Ski Resort in Newry and ending their ride at Steamboat Landing in Belfast Father's Day, June 16. Each leg of the ride is approximately 60 miles long, with layovers and overnight accomodations Friday and Saturday nights at UMaine-Farmington and Colby College, respectively.

———————————————————————————

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.