BOULDER, Colo. — Yeva Smilianska, the driver accused of hitting and killing 17-year-old National Team cyclist Magnus White in 2023, entered a not guilty plea Friday morning in Boulder County District Court.
Smilianska faces a vehicular homicide charge in connection with the crash.
The crash happened July 29, 2023, on southbound Highway 119 just past North 63rd Street. Prosecutors said White was riding south on the paved right shoulder, on the right side of the solid white line, when Smilianska, who was driving a Toyota Matrix, crashed into him.
"The driver's decision to plead not guilty, to take no responsibility for her actions, compounds the grave injustice we are confronting," said White's parents, Michael and Jill, in a statement. "... We are resolute in our pursuit of justice for Magnus, to ensure that no other family has to endure the nightmare we are living. We trust that the justice system will hold the driver accountable for her actions."
White, a National Team cyclist, was training to compete in the upcoming World Championships in Scotland when he was killed.
Following the crash, White's parents founded the nonprofit The White Line, hoping to create safer cycling environments while also raising awareness about what happened to their son.
With help from their nonprofit, Michael and Jill White are working to share more stories, spread awareness and hopefully save lives.
The judge set a trial date for the week of Dec. 16. The trial is expected to last five days.
> Video below: Magnus White's parents start film series to bring awareness to son’s death
The full statement from Michael and Jill White is below:
"We are now approaching ten months since our 17-year-old son, Magnus White, was tragically killed while training to represent the USA in the World Championships in mountain biking. Every day, we endure the unimaginable pain of living through a parent's worst nightmare. Last week was High School graduation, a moment Magnus should have shared with his classmates, proudly wearing his cap and gown and receiving his diploma. Each missed milestone brings an overwhelming wave of emotions that no family should ever have to bear. The pain is both emotional and physical as we face each day without Magnus.
"The driver's decision to plead not guilty, to take no responsibility for her actions, compounds the grave injustice we are confronting. This was not an accident, this was a crime. The driver ended the life of a child. This plea is a direct insult to Magnus's memory and shows a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life.
"We implore the court to grasp the full extent of the devastation this act has brought upon our family and the community. Yeva ended Magnus's life — a life that was brimming with immense potential. She has stolen his future, denied him any opportunity to pursue his ambitions, and irrevocably destroyed our lives.
"We are resolute in our pursuit of justice for Magnus, to ensure that no other family has to endure the nightmare we are living. We trust that the justice system will hold the driver accountable for her actions."
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