A tragic incident unfolded in Napa, California, as a couple from Portland, while bicycling through wine country, met a fatal accident when they were struck by lumber that had shifted off the back of a passing flatbed truck.
Christian Deaton, 52, died at the scene on a Tuesday morning. His wife, Michelle Deaton, 48, was transported to a hospital, where she also succumbed to her injuries, as confirmed by Napa County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Henry Woffard.
Both victims were employed at Nike in Beaverton. The Deatons were cycling along Silverado Trail on the outskirts of Napa at around 11 a.m. At that time, the truck driver attempted to pass them while traveling at a speed of approximately 40 mph, according to a statement provided by the California Highway Patrol.
The lumber loaded onto the 2018 Freightliner flatbed truck shifted to the right, with some of it overhanging the flatbed, striking both cyclists, as reported by Woffard and the highway patrol.
The driver of the truck pulled over and remained at the scene. Several witnesses stopped to assist the injured cyclists, according to the patrol’s statement.
The California Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation but has not released the driver’s identity or indicated whether any charges have been filed against the driver.
