Gulf Breeze cyclist, philanthropist klilled in Panama City

A Gulf Breeze cycling enthusiast was killed on the last leg of his bike across America fundraiser Wednesday.

Roger W. Grooters, 66, of Gulf Breeze, was traveling east on State Road 20 on his Cervelo bicycle when a Chevrolet pickup also traveling east on SR 20, driven by Eddie R. Hogg, 41, of Molino, Fla., swerved and hit Grooters' back tire.

Grooters was thrown from his bike and landed in a ditch where he was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was a parishioner at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church and described as a loving, heart-warming person.

Following the heartache of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, Grooters set out to help those affected by it and decided to ride his bike from California to Jacksonville, Fla. He had less than 300 miles left to travel before he was struck.

For more on this story, see the Oct. 14 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.