Genoa Church in Westerville is grieving the loss of executive pastor Joseph "PJ" Stoll, 65, who died after being struck by a truck while riding his bicycle on a path near State Route 3 and Big Walnut Road on July 3. The congregation held a celebration-of-life service on July 12, as members, friends and family came together to honor his decades of ministry and steady presence in the community.
Crash and hospital response
The collision occurred just before 9 a.m., when a commercial truck moved forward from a red light at the intersection and hit a cyclist crossing from the adjacent bike path, according to WCMH. Emergency crews transported the rider to Riverside Hospital with serious injuries, and multiple agencies responded at the scene. The early account relied on Ohio State Highway Patrol details about how the crash unfolded.
Investigation and safety review
An Ohio State Highway Patrol lieutenant said the agency has completed its investigation and will send safety recommendations to Delaware County to address crossings and trail intersections, according to The Christian Post. The outlet also reports that the truck driver will not face criminal citations in connection with the crash. County and township officials have said they plan to review any recommendations that come out of the patrol's findings.
Funeral details and family
Shaw‑Davis Funeral Homes posted an obituary stating that Stoll died on July 8 and that a celebration-of-life service took place on July 12 at Genoa Church. The obituary traces roughly four decades of ministry work, including roles as youth pastor, children's pastor, head pastor at Barnett Road Baptist, and principal at Genoa Christian Academy, and it lists his wife Marcella, children, and grandchildren among survivors. While Stoll was hospitalized, Genoa Church directed members to its website and social channels for updates and has continued to share words of comfort with the congregation.
Remembered for music and service
Congregants recall that Stoll often sat at the piano and that he posted lighthearted online food reviews in a segment he called "Reviews with PJ," treating ministry as something lived out in daily life as much as from the pulpit. "He's the nicest, godliest man I've ever met," associate pastor Scott Lewald told local television, a tribute reported by The Christian Post. In the days after his death, friends and church members have been leaving flowers and notes at a small roadside memorial near the crash site.
Roadwork and safety context
The crossing sits near active construction. Delaware County's engineer's office has posted that the Big Walnut Road and Tussic Street intersection is under roundabout work from June 1 through July 31, which has altered traffic patterns in the area. Officials say recommendations from the state patrol will guide any changes to trail crossings or signage intended to reduce conflicts between bicyclists and larger vehicles. Neighbors say they are watching for the county's next steps as the wider community continues to grieve.
