Almost two years after the tragic loss of American cycling
prospect Magnus White, justice has been delivered. A Boulder County jury has
found Yeva Smilianska guilty of reckless vehicular homicide following the
collision that claimed White’s life on July 29, 2023.
White, just 17 years old at the time, was on a training ride
along Colorado State Highway 119 when he was struck from behind by Smilianska’s
vehicle. He later died from his injuries.
The case, which has drawn attention across the cycling
world, concluded with a guilty verdict on Friday. According to court documents,
Smilianska appeared to have fallen asleep behind the wheel.
Investigators noted in an arrest affidavit that “based on
the totality of circumstances, it appears most likely that Smilianska was
asleep at the time of the crash.”
Prosecutors laid out a troubling timeline of events leading
up to the collision. Speaking in court, one prosecutor said, “On July 29, 2023,
the defendant recklessly drove her car, smashing into the back of Magnus
White’s bicycle, killing him,” according to The Denver Post.
“The defendant stayed up all night, drinking with the friend and got little
sleep before deciding to get on 119.
“She swerves two times, and then on the last time, she crashes right into the
back of him, sending him flying in the air.”
Smilianska will return to court on June 13 for sentencing.
She faces a possible prison sentence of two to six years. However, Boulder
County District Attorney Michael Dougherty confirmed that the charge is
probation-eligible, meaning the judge could impose a non-custodial sentence.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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