By: Jenny Zhou

On July 29th, 2023, teen American cyclist Magnus White died in Boulder, Colorado, after getting hit by a car.

White was riding on the shoulder of Highway 119 in Boulder when he was hit. A 23-year old woman driving a Toyota Matrix had crossed from the right hand lane onto the shoulder, striking him before the car crashed into a fence. The driver remained uninjured, but when White reached the hospital, he had already passed away.

Drugs, alcohol, or excessive speed were not suspected reasons for the crash, according to the state patrol.

The cyclist was scheduled to travel to Glasgow, Scotland in order to compete in the Junior Men’s Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships of August 2023.

White is a member of the USA Cycling’s junior men’s national team and has also won the 2021 USA Cyclocross Junior Men’s National Championship. Magnus White represented the USA in his first cyclocross world championship last year, where he competed in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In the Netherlands, He competed in his second cyclocross world championship in early 2023.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of our beloved son, Magnus White,” his parents Michael and Jill White said in a statement two days after his death.

“Magnus was dedicated to his family and friends and loved to surround them with laughter. He had an amazing smile that always lit up the room, bringing joy to those around him,” his parents added.

White’s passion for cycling started when he was two, riding on a strider bike. He began racing at the age of eight, and trained with Boulder Junior Cycling in Boulder, Colorado. White was also interested in skiing, and a student who hoped to attend business school as well. White had planned to graduate from high school a semester early so he could focus on international competitions in 2024.

White is survived by his parents along with his brother Eero. A friend of theirs has also set up a GoFundMe to support his family.

USA Cycling said on July 30th that White was a rising star in off-road cycling and “his passion for cycling was evident through his racing and camaraderie with his teammates and local community.”

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to the White family, his teammates, friends, and the Boulder community during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement continued. “We ride for Magnus.”

Link to article: https://www.npr.org/2023/07/31/1191096086/cyclist-magnus-white-17-dies-accident-car-boulder-colorado