Source: A prominent leader of Sheboygan’s charter school movement has died following a car-bike crash Wednesday evening in northern Sheboygan County. Authorities say 48-year-old Troy Tousey was killed after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on county Highway Y near Rowe Road in the Town of Mosel. Tousey was a small business owner and vice president of The Etude Group, which oversees the Mosaic, ESAA and IDEAS Academy charter schools. School district officials called Tousey’s death a significant loss for the community. “It’s a real stunning loss for a lot of people, and it’s a huge loss for Sheboygan,” said School Board President David Gallianetti. A Green Bay native and graphic designer by trade, Tousey owned Open Mind Studios in Sheboygan and was the father of two children, according to his business website. Gallianetti described Tousey as a bright and creative person, who was a major presence in the city’s creative community and was instrumental in the development of Sheboygan’s charter schools. “I think of how far these schools have come in a very short period of time, and Troy is one of the reasons why,” Gallianetti said. “He was a progressive thinker and a very thoughtful guy, which is a pretty good combination.” Authorities said the accident occurred at about 6:45 p.m., as Tousey was bicycling southbound on county Highway Y near Rowe Road when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Roger V. Peterson, 67, of Sheboygan. Peterson was also southbound on Highway Y. Tousey was taken to St. Nicholas Hospital where he later died. Sgt. Brad Jorsch of the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department said Tousey was wearing a helmet when the crash occurred and was riding with an unspecified number of bicyclists near the fog line on the far right side of the road. The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff’s department and Wisconsin State Patrol. In addition to the sheriff’s department, the Howards Grove First Responders and Orange Cross Ambulance responded to the accident.