Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, 83, killed in pedestrian accident on May 29 in Cleveland Heights.

The 83-year-old rabbi who died Thursday after a truck backed over him had been walking home from doing what he loved most: studying the religion that he passed on to his eight children, family members said.

Yehuda Cohen, who moved to Cleveland Heights from Detroit in 1977, died Thursday while walking home from the Hebrew Academy, where he studied the Bible twice daily, his son, Mair Cohen said.

"He could hardly walk because his health was getting worse," Mair Cohen said. "We didn't drive anymore and we weren't going to take away his freedom. It was the one thing he loved doing."

Police on Thursday said they are investigating the crash that happened about 11 a.m. near Unger's Kosher Market on South Taylor Road. Witnesses said a semi truck backing into the market ran over Cohen. Mair Cohen said his father in recent years walked slowly because of health issues.

Police cars remained at the market hours after the accident investigating and taking measurements.