By: Matthew Wang

An American biking champion, 17-year-old Magnus White, was fatally injured while biking on a freeway in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado.

An accomplished biker, White had competed in and won the USA Cyclocross Junior Men’s National Championship. Along with this victory, he participated in two world championships representing the United States. Just before the fatal crash, Magnus had been practicing for yet another competition, this time in Scotland.

The unfortunate incident unfurled as Magnus was biking on the shoulder of Highway 119, NPR reports. While biking as usual, he was hit from behind by a 23 year old woman driving a Toyota Matrix. NPR states that, “The driver crossed from the right-hand lane onto the shoulder, striking White from behind before she crashed into a fence[…]White was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead. The car’s driver was uninjured” (NPR, 2023).

The event has sent family, friends, teammates, and fans alike into mourning. In an NPR interview, White’s parents, Michael and Jill, say that Magnus was always a perfect role model.

Through tears, they stated, “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.” The parent of one of his teammates, Christine Lipson, says that “Magnus was taken from us while doing what he loved most, riding his bike.” Lipson also created a GoFundMe page for Magnus’s family to help support them in such a troubling time.