Graduate Arts & Sciences student Matthew Steven King was killed yesterday in a cycling accident on West Main Street and Fourth Street NW at about 9:05 a.m. A Charlottesville utility truck collided with King, who then was transported to the University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 9:31 a.m. because of injuries sustained from the accident, University spokesperson Carol Wood said.
Both King and the truck were traveling in the same direction in front of the West Main Restaurant - the bike was on the right side of the truck, and when the truck attempted to make a right turn, the two forces collided.
"The City of Charlottesville expresses its deepest sympathy to the victim's family and is providing support to the City employee who is dealing with this tragedy," City Director of Communications Ric Barrick said in a press release.
A first-year graduate student in the mathematics department, King was a "bright student with a very positive personality," said Peter Abramenko, assistant chair of the graduate department. Abramenko, a member on graduate student selection committee, remembers King - who had decided to concentrate in algebra - as one of the committee's top-ranked candidates. He said committee members initially were doubtful King would accept their offer but were very pleased when he did.
"It is a tragedy and a loss for our department - first of all on a personal level - but we anticipated that he would be one of our top students," Abramenko said.
Assoc. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway and counselors from Counseling and Psychological Services spoke to members of the department yesterday afternoon after the tragedy.
"They immediately offered their help and first brought the news to our first-year grad students," Abramenko said. "They are a community and all know each other ... They help each other with teaching and exchange advice and tips. These students were all shocked and knew Matt, and it's a shock for all of us. He will be thoroughly missed."
The loss of the King will affect the University community as a whole.
"I think we've lost an enormously promising member of our community, and this loss touches so many people in the University community, but particularly the students and faculty in the department and Matt's other friends," Wood said. "The Dean of Students Office is encouraging anybody who needs to talk to somebody after hearing this heartbreaking news to take advantage of all the assistance the University offers."
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of cyclists in Charlottesville. Although several of the city's roads have bike lanes, cyclists still are sharing space with much larger vehicles.
"That stretch is really dangerous," fourth-year Engineering student Sharif Morad said about Charlottesville bike lanes. "You have to act like a car."
Craig Griffin, organizer of Bike Charlottesville, emphasized that raising awareness for drivers about individuals on bikes and pedestrians is a key to making the roads safer.
Griffin said the community is organizing a ride-in from Grounds to a vigil for King. The vigil will take place Friday at 5 p.m. in front of the West Main Restaurant.
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