'Inspirational' Cyclist Couple Die After Being Struck by Lumber in Freak Accident: 'So Many Are Heartbroken'

California authorities said that a load shifted on a flatbed truck, hitting a couple who were riding their bikes

A couple visiting from Oregon were killed after they were struck by lumber that shifted on a truck while riding their bicycles in California, authorities said.

In its report shared with PEOPLE, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wrote that a collision involving two cyclists – later identified by the Napa County coroner as Christian Deaton and Michelle Deaton, per Fox affiliate KTVU-TV — and a Freightliner three-axle flatbed truck occurred Tuesday on Silverado Trail around 11 a.m. local time.

The CHP said that the two cyclists were riding northbound when the load on the truck shifted to the right and projected beyond the right side of the vehicle. As the truck passed by the couple, the load struck them, causing a traffic crash.

According to the report, the man died at the scene, while the woman was taken to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Related: High School Senior, 17, Dies After Being Struck by School Bus While on Bike: Police

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CHP Officer Vince Pompliano said it was still to be determined why the lumber from the truck moved, CBS affiliate KPIX-TV reported.

Christian Deaton, 52, and Michelle Deaton, 48, hailed from Portland, Oregon, and were visiting Napa County, authorities said, per CW affiliate KRON-TV.

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In a statement shared on Facebook Wednesday, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition wrote: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Michelle and Christian Deaton, two bicyclists who were visiting from Portland, Oregon and were killed yesterday while riding on Silverado Trail. This enormous, preventable loss is sitting heavy in our hearts and minds, as we know it is for those who ride locally and work toward safer streets. Living here, riding here, and visiting here should be safe for all road users, and we are incredibly saddened that the Deatons were not kept safe.”

The truck was owned by Central Valley Builders Suppliers, and its driver reportedly cooperated with authorities, according to The Press Democrat.

“We are devastated by this news, and our deepest sympathies are with the victims' families and loved ones," a spokesperson for the company told the newspaper. "Central Valley is continuing to gather the facts to determine exactly what happened, including working closely with local law enforcement as they investigate this incident.” 

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Friends of the married couple, who were remembered as athletic and avid cyclists, spoke about them to KTVU. "We have an enormous void to fill in our hearts right now,” said Josh Ring.

"Christian and Michelle were the most inspirational couple we knew,” said Nate Retzlaff.  “Humble, generous, thoughtful, loving and hardworking, together they were redefining what it meant to thrive in every aspect of life…So many are heartbroken today as people like the Deatons come around once in a lifetime."

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