On July 29, Magnus White was riding his Trek bicycle on CO 119 toward Boulder when he was hit by a car. His injuries were severe and he later died after being transported to Boulder Community Hospital. The driver of the car, Yeva Smilianska, has been charged with vehicular homicide after a months-long investigation.
Officers from the Colorado State Patrol office investigated the crash. They interviewed several witnesses who stated they saw Smilianska’s 2004 Toyota Matrix suddenly veer off the road as if it were heading straight for White.
Throughout the investigation, officers discovered that Smilianska had stayed with a friend the night before and had not slept much. On her way to her home in Boulder, Smilianska texted a friend stating “I’m falling asleep. So I’m going home.”
Approximately 19 minutes after the text, Smilianska’s car hit White and landed in the grass embankment near 63rd Avenue and CO 119. Witnesses stated Smilianska didn’t seem to know she had hit White and no skid marks were found at the scene. Some witnesses said they saw the Toyota swerve on the road several times before the crash.
Smilianska told police that her car’s steering wheel malfunctioned which is why she swerved. She said she did not see White, who was riding on the shoulder of the highway.
CSP Trooper McCall obtained a warrant to drive Smilianska’s car and found that the car did pull to the right, however, he stated in the arrest affidavit that “I reached a maximum vehicle-indicated speed of over 50 MPH during my drive and noted the vehicle would pull slightly to the right if I did not provide any steering input.” However, no steering malfunction was indicated after the car was examined by a local mechanic shop.
After the investigation, officers hypothesize that Smilianska was asleep at the time of the crash and is charged with vehicular homicide — reckless which is a class 4 felony. She was arrested on Dec. 12.
“The life of Magnus White was cut tragically short. His death is devastating for his family, friends, and the cycling community. Our office is committed to fighting for the right outcome,” said Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
