The Hardin County Sheriff's Office is investigating an early morning crash on State Route 235 near County Road 80 north of Alger that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jayden Elwood of Ada. 

Hardin County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call at 5:07 a.m. reporting a bicyclist possibly being struck by a tractor trailer travelling north bound on State Route 235. Responding deputies were able to locate the bicycle and rider--later identified as Elwood, off the east side of the roadway, where he was determined to be deceased. 

The tractor trailer, which had continued from the scene was later stopped south of the Kenton city limits. The driver, Thomas M. Carl, 51 of Harrod, acknowledged that he had been operating along route 235 and said that he believed that he had struck an animal. After stopping to look for damage and for what may have been struck, he then proceeded on from the scene after not observing anything or anyone. 

The crash remains under investigation. 

Deputies were assisted by the Kenton Police Department, Upper Scioto Valley EMS and the Hardin County Coroner's Office.