The Ukrainian refugee who hit and killed a 17-year-old U.S. team cyclist with her car has rejected a plea deal nearly eight months after the tragic incident.
Yeva Smilianska, 23, faces reckless driving that resulted in a vehicular homicide after hitting champion Boulder cyclist Magnus White while allegedly “falling asleep at the wheel.”
The charge, a class four felony in Colorado, carries a potential penalty of two to six years in prison and a fine ranging from $2,000 to $500,000.
During Friday’s court session, Smilianska’s defense attorney requested a delay to facilitate review of the extensive 70-hour body camera footage. The request was granted by Judicial District Court Judge Patrick Butler, and Smilianska did not enter a plea at the time.
The parents of the 17-year-old Team USA rider expressed their dismay following Friday’s decision, saying, “It hurts emotionally and physically as we continue to face each day without Magnus.”
Yeva Smilianska, 23, faces reckless driving that resulted in a vehicular homicide after hitting champion Boulder cyclist Magnus White while allegedly “falling asleep at the wheel.”
US men’s junior national team cyclist Magnus White died at the age of 17 after being hit by a car while training at his home in Boulder, Colorado.
In July 2023, American cycling ‘rising star’ Magnus White (pictured) was hit from behind by Yeva Smilianska. During Friday’s court session, Smilianska’s defense attorney requested a delay to facilitate review of the extensive 70-hour body camera footage.
‘The driver’s decision not to plead guilty at this time and file a motion to extend the proceedings does not surprise us. It only delays the outcome of the case and prolongs our suffering. “Each court appearance continues and will continue to lead us to relive the day Magnus was murdered,” the statement reads.
In July 2023, American cycling “rising star” Magnus White was hit from behind by a 23-year-old woman driving a Toyota Matrix shortly after 12:30 p.m.
White was scheduled to compete in the upcoming world championships before he was hit while training on Highway 119 near his home in Boulder, Colorado.
The collision forced White and his bike to go off the road and into a fence where his bike came to rest. The Colorado State Patrol says speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash.
The parents of the 17-year-old U.S. team rider expressed dismay following Friday’s decision. “It hurts emotionally and physically as we continue to face each day without Magnus,” her statement read. Magnus leaves behind his parents Jill and Michael and his brother Eero.
He was preparing to represent the US National Cycling Team at the World Mountain Bike Championships before the unfortunate incident.
Although it was initially claimed that there were problems with the car, investigators found no mechanical problems with the vehicle and suspect Smilianska may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
In a statement he claimed to have slept a few hours the night before.
Magnus’ parents highlighted the pain of losing their son and the void left by his absence over the past eight months.
They said the court appearances prolong their suffering, leading them back to the day Magnus was killed.
They urged the court to recognize his death as a crime and not an accident, emphasizing that Smilianska’s actions had not only stolen Magnus’s future but had also irreparably shattered their lives.
Smilianska, who posted a $100,000 personal recognizance bond in December, will appear in court on May 24.
White’s family has established The White Line, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for safer cycling environments and preserving Magnus’ memory.
‘We are living every parent’s worst nightmare. Every major milestone missed in your life, every holiday, and now every court proceeding brings a wave of emotions that no family should experience. “It hurts emotionally and physically as we continue to face each day without Magnus,” the parents said in a statement after appearing in court.
White was a rising multi-discipline star, winning the 17-18 Junior Cyclocross National Championship in 2021 and earning a spot on the US national team, which he called a “pivotal moment” as it gave him the opportunity to compete in Europe.
White is seen on the podium during the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in 2022
USA Cycling announced White’s death in a statement following his death.
“He was a rising star on the off-road cycling scene and his passion for cycling was evident through his racing and his camaraderie with his teammates and the local community,” the body said in a statement. “We ride for Magnus.”
“We offer our deepest condolences to the White family, his teammates, friends and the Boulder community during this incredibly difficult time.”
White was a rising multi-discipline star, winning the 17-18 Junior Cyclocross National Championship in 2021 and earning a spot on the US national team, which he called a “pivotal moment” as it gave him opportunities to compete in Europe.
He then competed with the USA Cycling National Team during a full season of European cyclocross racing and closed out the year at the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Arkansas.
He was chosen to represent the U.S. again at this year’s cyclocross world championships in the Netherlands and earned a spot on the Mountain Bike World Championship team this summer.
White began dabbling in road cycling and mountain biking this season.
He had focused on his final preparations before leaving for Glasgow, Scotland, to compete in the Junior Men’s Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships on August 10.
White was in one of his last workouts when the accident occurred weeks before his senior year of high school began.
White had been focusing on his final preparations before leaving for Glasgow, Scotland, to compete in the Men’s Junior Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships on August 10.
White was in one of his last workouts when the accident occurred weeks before his senior year of high school began.
White began competing at the national level when he was 10 years old and credited his father for introducing him to the sport.
“When I was a kid, my dad really got me into cycling because he raced on the road, then I discovered my local team (Boulder Junior Cycling), which has some really great coaches that got me to where I am today,” White said in his profile on the USA Cycling website.
“In the summer of 2023, I will embark on an exciting new chapter in my cycling career: a debut on the international mountain bike racing circuit, proudly wearing the Team USA jersey,” he wrote.
He is survived by his parents, Michael and Jill, and his brother, Eero. Christine Lipson, whose son is a close friend and teammate of White, created a GoFundMe page to help the family.
“Magnus was taken from us while doing what he loved most: riding his bike,” Lipson wrote in the appeal.
USA Cycling released a statement Sunday announcing the heartbreaking news of his death days before competing in Scotland.
‘Magnus’ family is strong, but the support of their community will go a long way to giving them time to grieve.
‘Magnus’ greatest joy in life was riding his bike after playing football when he was younger. He was also an accomplished skier.
‘He started cycling when he was eight and quickly rose through the ranks of cycling.
‘Magnus’ journey in cycling was fueled by a tireless work ethic and a deep desire to achieve his personal best.
“He was proud to represent his community and his country around the world.”