Editor
The Batavia community is mourning the loss of a young boy who died when he crashed his bicycle Sunday, Sept. 1.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, 7-year-old Evan Geer, who was riding his bicycle west on Wood Street at approximately 12:38 p.m., entered the intersection of Wood and 5th streets and struck a vehicle that was southbound on 5th Street.
Geer was transported by Air Care to Children’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Geer was a third-grade student at Batavia Elementary School.
“He was a sweet little boy, who was very active in sports,” Molly Cribbet, Batavia Elementary assistant principal, said. “A lot of the boys he played football with were very upset today.”
Cribbet said that Clermont County Crisis Response Team was at the school Tuesday to address students in classes, and to be available for individual students and staff members who expressed a need to talk about this loss. A letter was also sent home to parents which included information about helping children deal with loss and contact information for additional resources.
The Batavia Community Recreational League, of which Geer was a member, is holding a barbecue fundraiser from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at the league fields. The fundraiser will include food, shirts, armbands, wristbands, a split-the-pot and a balloon release. Proceeds will go to the family to help defray funeral expenses. Donations will be accepted at the elementary school until 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. More information is available at http://bataviabcrl.com.
A cook-out will also be held beginning at 11 a.m. at the Amelia Walmart. Proceeds from this event will be given to the family.
Visitation for Geer will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 – 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Church, 140 N. 6th Street, Batavia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the church.