- Christian Deaton, 52, and Michelle Deaton, 48, of Portland, were killed while biking through Napa Valley
- The couple, who both worked for Nike headquarters, were biking on the Silverado Trail at 11 a.m. when a truck driver tried to pass them. The truck was traveling at approximately 40 km/h
A married Oregon couple has died after they were struck by wood that slid off a flatbed truck that passed them during a bike ride.
Christian Deaton, 52, and Michelle Deaton, 48, of Portland, were killed while biking through Napa Valley, California. Christian died at the scene and Michelle later died in hospital.
The couple, who both worked for Nike headquarters and had been married for 21 years, were biking on the Silverado Trail at 11 a.m. when a truck driver tried to pass them. The truck was traveling at approximately 60 km/h within the 90 km/h speed limit zone.
The wood on the back of the 2018 three-axle Freightliner flatbed quickly shifted to the right and struck the cyclists.
According to California Highway Patrol, the 55-year-old truck driver was a Vallejo man. He remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
Christian Deaton, 52, and Michelle Deaton, 48, of Portland, were killed while biking through Napa Valley. Christian died at the scene and Michelle later died in hospital
The couple, who both worked for Nike headquarters and had been married for 21 years, were biking on the Silverado Trail at 11 a.m. when a truck driver tried to pass them. The truck was traveling at approximately 40 km/h
After the tragic collision, a truck can be seen transporting the bicycles
The bike lane on the stretch of road where the couple was struck has been outlined with a strip of white paint — and signs have been posted along the Silverado Trail warning drivers of cyclists on the road, said Kara Vernor of Napa County Bicycle Coalition.
She added: ‘To see two people lose their lives in this way is truly tragic and disturbing.’
Christian was VP of Product and Merchandising at NIKE Swim, and Michelle was Director of EQ Design Studio. She has worked for the company for 23 years.
Elizabeth LeMay, a friend of the couple, said in tribute, “They shared so much love for each other. They were a couple you only meet once in your life.’
The wood on the back of the 2018 three-axle Freightliner flatbed quickly shifted to the right and struck the cyclists. Pictured: Silverado Trail
Christian’s father Greg Deaton wrote online: ‘I lost my son Christian and my daughter-in-law Michelle in a tragic bicycle accident a few days ago.
“They were so special and everyone who knew them, their lives were enriched. And everyone who knew them now mourns their loss. Pray for us.”
Cholee Thompson, Michelle’s best friend, said: ‘Life was their hobby – there was never a moment when they wouldn’t make the most of it.
“They lived so big that the hole they left in all of us is still gaping.
“They weren’t perfect and they always strived to be better, but they were really close to perfect.
‘They were married for over twenty years, but they were a couple that made it feel like they had always been together. You know, if you believed in past lives, they were probably together in past lives because they just had this connection.”