(AP/KMOV) -- The South Dakota Highway Patrol says a Missouri woman riding her bicycle across the country was struck and killed Tuesday near Vetal by a semitrailer hauling a combine.
Troopers say 21-year-old Paige Hicks of Chesterfield, Missouri was stopped on a hill on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 18 when she was struck by the semi.
Troopers say she was checking messages on her cell phone.
The driver of the truck, 45-year-old Scott Wenzel of Wessington Springs, South Dakota was not injured.
Hicks volunteered for a non-profit organization called Bike and Build. The organization’s trips benefit affordable housing groups.
According to Bike and Build’s website, Hicks was riding to Seattle from Rhode Island. She had covered more than 2,000 miles before the accident.
Hicks had been tracking her journey on Twitter @PVHicks.
According to Kim Cranston with Rockwood school district, Hicks was a 2007 graduate of Marquette High School.
News 4's Chris Nagus talks to one of Hicks' high school teachers coming up at 5 o'clock.
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