Nearly two years after a tragic accident in Colorado took the life of 17-year-old cyclist Magnus White, his family is still grieving—and they’re also taking action. They are using their heartbreak to fight for stronger laws to protect cyclists and prevent similar tragedies.
A Promising Young Cyclist’s Life Cut Short
Magnus White was a talented teenage cyclist from Colorado, training for Team USA. In July 2023, just days before competing in the world championships, Magnus was on a training ride on Highway 119 in Boulder when a car hit and killed him. He was only 17.
His father, Michael White, remembers how gifted Magnus was. “He was smooth, powerful, and technical,” he said, recalling the bike Magnus was going to use at the national championships.
Magnus’s mother, Jill, shared the painful memory of that day in the hospital. Doctors told her he likely wouldn’t make it, but she held onto hope. “I kept cheering for him—’Come on, Magnus, you can do this.’” Sadly, Magnus’s heart stopped three times, and he didn’t survive.
Driver Found Guilty, But Questions Remain
The driver who hit Magnus, 24-year-old Yeva Smilianska, claimed her car had steering problems. Colorado State Patrol said there were no signs she was under the influence, and she wasn’t tested for alcohol or drugs at the scene. This left the family with many unanswered questions.
Later in court, text messages and videos showed that the driver had been drinking and mixing alcohol with prescription drugs the night before the crash. She had also been awake most of the night.
The jury found her guilty of reckless vehicular homicide. This charge could lead to a sentence of up to six years in prison—or just probation.
The White Line Foundation: A New Mission
Out of their pain, the White family created the White Line Foundation. It’s named to honour Magnus and to stand for safer roads for cyclists. Through this nonprofit, they are telling stories like Magnus’s and raising awareness about cyclist safety.
Michael White said they heard from many other families who lost loved ones in similar ways. “These stories deserve to be told just as much as Magnus’s,” he said.
Fighting for Stronger Laws
The family is now working to change laws in Colorado and across the U.S. They’re calling for mandatory drug testing after any crash that results in injury or death. They also want stiffer penalties for drivers whose reckless actions lead to tragedy.
At the national level, they are pushing for the “Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act.” This law would require all new vehicles to include automatic emergency braking systems—technology that could help save lives.
The White family knows they can’t bring Magnus back. But they believe that through their work, they can help save others. Their message is simple: change is needed now. Their nonprofit, the White Line Foundation, is more than a tribute—it’s a call to action.
As Michael said, “We’ll never know exactly whose life we’re saving. But if we don’t act now, we’ll all know whose life wasn’t.”