(WNY News Now) – A 78-year-old Chautauqua woman died after being struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle on Chautauqua-Stedman Road in the Town of Chautauqua, according to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:55 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Deputies, the Chautauqua Fire Department, and Chautauqua County Emergency Services responded to a reported vehicle-versus-bicyclist collision on Chautauqua-Stedman Road.

Investigators said Mary V. Hustead, 78, of Chautauqua, was riding her bicycle when she was struck by a southbound vehicle operated by Levi J. Graham, 19, of Ashville.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation determined Graham failed to safely pass the bicyclist, resulting in the collision.

Hustead was airlifted from the scene by Mercy Flight to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Graham was charged with violating New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1122-A, failure to safely pass a bicyclist. He is scheduled to answer the charge in the Town of Chautauqua Court at a later date. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.