A 44-year-old bicyclist from Sewickley died when he was hit by a sport utility vehicle in Moon Wednesday.

Rodney Saunders, was struck Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in the 3500 block of University Boulevard.

Saunders was riding against the flow of traffic in the southbound lane when he shifted from the passing lane to the slow lane, directly into the path of Mark Abbott, 18, of Ross, Moon Patrolman Robert Phillis said yesterday.

Abbott braked but was unable to keep from hitting Saunders, Phillis said. Saunders died at 6:42 p.m. at Sewickley Valley Hospital. The Allegheny County coroner's office ruled the death accidental.

Saunders was riding his bicycle in an area without street lights while wearing dark clothing. In addition to riding against traffic, he did not have any lights or reflectors on his bicycle, Phillis said.