By Joe Johnson
A cyclist early Saturday became the 18th traffic fatality in Athens-Clarke County this year when he was struck and killed by a car.
According to county Coroner Sonny Wilson, 41-year-old Michael Dowdy Jr. was riding a bicycle on Pittard Road at about 3:10 a.m. when he was struck from behind by the car.
Wilson said that the area of the collision was not well lit and Dowdy was wearing dark clothing. The driver of the car remained on the scene for the police investigation, which is ongoing.
Wilson said that Dowdy was from Athens, but was homeless at the time of the collision.