The family of a teenage cyclist who competed professionally in Colorado is advocating for reform in advance of the sentencing of the lady who was responsible for his death.
The life of Magnus White, a promising cyclist for Team USA, was taken by a tragic accident that occurred in Colorado nearly two years ago. White was seventeen years old at the time. Just a few days before he was scheduled to compete in the world championships, he was out on a training ride along Highway 119 in Boulder when he was struck and killed by a car.
“He had this thing you couldn’t put your finger on it, he was smooth, powerful, technical,” according to his father, Michael White, who added, “This was his national championship bike he was going to ride.”
This was a Saturday in the month of July in the year 2023.
“The doctor had to take me outside and tell me, ‘You know, I don’t think he’s going to make it.’ I responded by asking, ‘What are you talking about?'” Despite the fact that he is a little child, he is going to be OK, he is strong, and he is going to make it. All he needs to do is sleep on it. With regard to that particular day, his mother Jill White recalled saying, “He’ll wake up.”
Although he was in the hospital, his heart stopped three times.
“As I cheer for Magnus for the very final time, I am also clutching onto Michael. “Come on, Magnus, what are you waiting for? Magnus, you are capable of accomplishing this. She said, “You can come back; you have this under control.”
Magnus was struck and killed by a vehicle, and the driver revealed to the investigators from the Colorado State Patrol who were present at the incident that she had a problem with her steering, which caused her to go off the road. There were no indications of impairment, according to the Colorado State Patrol, and she was never tested for any substances. CBS Colorado reported this information.
“The very first thing that Colorado State Patrol said to us was the driver did everything right,” said Jill in response. A question mark appeared in our minds as a result of that. Absolutely, our son has passed away. And how did the driver manage to get everything right?'”
The trial found that the driver, Yeva Smilianska, who was 24 years old at the time of the accident, had been drinking, washing down prescription drugs with whiskey, and staying up until the early morning hours on the day of the accident. This information was revealed through text messages and videos received from her cell phone.
A jury deliberated for seven hours before reaching a verdict of guilty on the charge of reckless vehicular homicide. This charge carries a potential punishment of up to six years in jail, or just probation, depending on the severity of the offense.
“We want people to be held accountable for their actions,” said Michael in response. “It’s not about putting people in jail or prison, it’s about the right level of accountability for the crime that was committed.”
During their time of anguish and anger, they came up with the concept of the White Line Foundation.
“Magnus’s story got so much attention, we started learning all these other stories of kids, these stories deserve to be told just as much as Magnus,” he remarked to reporters.
A nonprofit organization was established in Magnus’s honor to advocate for bikers and to present experiences that have not been spoken before. It is their belief that the stories will serve as a catalyst for change.
In his words, “It’s more about making it better for everybody,” Michael added.
They are working to increase the severity of the punishments that are imposed in these cases and are advocating for drivers who cause injury or death to be subjected to mandatory drug testing.
On a national scale, they are advocating for the Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act, which would mandate that all new automobiles be equipped with automatic emergency braking systems.
“The thing about everything we are working on trying to change is we will never know whose life you’re going to save, but if we don’t do something, if we don’t do it with urgency, we are all going to know whose life is not saved,” said Michael in response.
They have made a vow that they hope Magnus notices.
The last time I sent Magnus a text message was in August, after he had been murdered. You just heard me say, “Your dog is missing you.” Today, he walked inside your room in an attempt to find you, and we are truly missing you. And I wish you were here to see, so that I could tell you all that happened during our day. After that, I informed him that “There are a great number of people working very hard to make sure that you are remembered, and that you lived a life that is worthy of being remembered.”
