VALENTINE, Neb. - Authorities have released the name of the bicyclist killed in a hit-and-run crash near Valentine on Saturday, along with the name of the person charged in connection with the death.

According to a press release from the Cherry County Attorney, 82-year-old Larry Covalciuc was participating in the Tour de Nebraska bicycle ride when he was struck by a vehicle.

35-year-old Earl Joe Cooper of Arkansas has been arrested and charged with felony motor vehicle homicide and felony leaving the scene of an accident.

As News Channel Nebraska reported earlier this week, the hit-and-run happened a few miles outside of Valentine along Highway 20. The Cherry County Attorney said that Covalciuc’s bicycle was found on the north shoulder of the highway, while his body was discovered in the north ditch.

Tour de Nebraska was a five-day bike tour with more than 400 bicyclists riding hundreds of miles throughout north-central Nebraska.