Steve Tilford, the US mountain bike national champion in 1983, was killed Wednesday morning in a car crash with an 18-wheeler.
According to reports, Tilford was driving on Interstate 70 when his van ran through a tractor-trailer that had flipped over on the highway. According to Vincent Davis, another passenger in the van, they “hit the side of the truck and went through the trailer and out the top. It was only carrying boxes, so we were hurt but OK.”
Davis had walked up the road for assistance, while Tilford remained in the crashed van. Just then, another semi truck barreled straight into the van with Tilford inside.
A police investigation into the accident has not yet been completed, so it is unclear whether any of the involves parties will face charges. It is also not known how the initial 18-wheeler accident occurred.
Tilford had four national titles in cycling, as well as numerous masters world championships, and was still an active racer. At the time of the crash he was driving home from a training camp in San Diego.
Source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/steve-tilford-dies-in-car-accident/