“Remembering Magnus White: Parents Reflect on Grief and Son’s Legacy After Driver Arrested”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : BOULDER, Colo. — The driver accused of killing Boulder bicyclist Magnus White is now facing a vehicular homicide charge, a development that was eagerly awaited by many. However, for the White family, Wednesday’s announcement brought them back to the day their beloved son was taken from them.

“It felt like we were reliving that moment, the day he was killed,” said Michael White, Magnus’ father. “Yesterday brought us right back to day one.”

The grief-stricken parents are struggling to cope with their loss, especially during the holiday season. Christmas was Magnus’ favorite holiday, and the family couldn’t bring themselves to put up a tree in their home. Instead, they placed a solar-powered Christmas tree by his ghost bike on the side of the road, serving as a reminder that their son is missing from their lives this year.

Magnus, at the age of 17, was a talented and accomplished young cyclist. He began his cycling journey through Boulder Junior Cycling and quickly rose through the ranks of off-road cycling competitions. He even won the 2021 Junior 17-18 Cyclocross National Championships and represented the USA Cycling National Team in European Cyclocross racing. Magnus also participated in the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championship in Arkansas, proudly representing his community and country. He continued his journey by competing in another Cyclocross World Championships in January 2023.

His parents recognized their son’s potential and talent early on. “We were amazed by his skills. We even thought he could potentially participate in the Olympics,” said Michael. “We let him follow his passion, and we were there to support him.”

Magnus was not only a talented athlete but also an exceptional student, maintaining a GPA of 4.2. He had a vibrant personality, lighting up any room he entered. He possessed a deep understanding of road safety and used technology to create bike routes based on other riders’ data. His competitive spirit was evident during races, as he would stick his tongue out when the intensity heightened.

Tragically, Magnus’ life was cut short just as he was about to start his senior year in high school. He was preparing for the Junior Mountain Bike World Championships in Scotland and proudly wearing his Team USA jersey at the time of the accident. On that fateful day, Michael, who was also cycling, missed a call from Boulder Community Health. Assuming it was about a bill, he ignored it initially. However, as time passed, he realized that Magnus had not returned home. Worried, he tracked Magnus’ location on his phone and discovered that his son was at the hospital. It was there that Michael received the devastating news of Magnus’ injuries.

“After seeing him in the emergency room, I knew he wouldn’t survive,” Michael recalled.

The circumstances surrounding the crash were harrowing, leaving the parents with countless questions and immense pain. Jill, Magnus’ mother, wonders if Magnus knew what was happening or if he suffered in his final moments. For nearly 20 weeks, the family had few answers to help them cope with their heartbreak.

“People were questioning if there would even be charges filed because it took so long,” Michael noted.

Finally, on Tuesday evening, the driver responsible for the collision was arrested. 23-year-old Yeva Smilianska, a refugee from Ukraine who had been living in Colorado since fleeing the war, now faces a charge of vehicular homicide – reckless, a Class 4 felony. Investigators believe she fell asleep at the wheel and struck Magnus as he was riding near Highway 119 and N. 63rd Street, a popular cycling route.

The White family is angry that the driver chose to get behind the wheel while feeling drowsy. They believe that such negligent actions compromise the safety of all road users.

The loss of Magnus continues to weigh heavily on his family. “We will never heal from not being able to see who he would have become,” Michael said. “His presence will be with us for the rest of our lives.”

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to support the White family. The funds raised helped establish a nonprofit organization called The White Line, dedicated to honoring Magnus’ memory. The nonprofit aims to advocate for safer roads, including the installation of rumble strips on the stretch of Highway 119 where Magnus was killed. It also seeks to support young cyclists in their international competitions and push for stricter penalties for careless or reckless driving resulting in death. Additionally, The White Line plans to release a series of films titled “Lives Worth Remembering,” highlighting the lives of bicyclists who have lost their lives on the roads and the impact they had on their communities. A trailer for the first film, offering glimpses into Magnus’ life and his family’s grief, was released on December 4.

While the establishment of The White Line represents a step forward in their healing process, it is a painful reminder of their loss. “Creating a nonprofit for your deceased child is an awful experience,” Michael confessed. “You’re no longer the father of him. You’re the father of your son’s legacy.”

As the White family continues to navigate their grief, they hope to raise awareness about road safety and ensure that Magnus’ memory lives on through their advocacy efforts..