Multiple UCI Masters Track World Champion Ethan Boyes, 45, of San Francisco, was killed by an automobile on Tuesday 4 March while training in the Presidio area of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, according to local news, U.S. National Park Police and USA Cycling.

Boyes, an elite amateur track cyclist, won four world titles in 2022 at the UCI Masters Track World Championship held in Los Angeles, including the Sprint, Team Sprint, Time Trial and Flying Time Trial. He is also a ten-time USA National Champion and in 2018 set the 500m Flying Time Trail national record at 26.461 seconds.

“Beyond Ethan’s athletic achievements, he was an upstanding member of the American track cycling community,” USA Cycling said a statement. “His loss will be felt at local, regional, national, and world events for years, as he brought a mixture of competition and friendliness to every race. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

The auto involved in the crash was reportedly traveling north on Arguello Boulevard at a high rate of speed when it crossed the center-line and collided head-on with Boyes, sending him into the windshield headfirst.

Nextdoor user Stephanie Wald said in a post that she “witnessed a horrific accident” in which “a speeding car heading north [on Arguello Boulevard] careened into the opposite lane and hit a cyclist,” who “slammed headfirst into the windshield.”

According to the park police, Boyes sustained severe life-threatening injuries, was treated by emergency medics on scene and rushed was to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle was also transported to hospital for minor injuries.

Park police are still investigating the crash and have not said if alcohol or drugs were involved, if Boyes was wearing a helmet or whether the driver was detained.

Photo Credit: Facebook/USA Cycling

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