A tragic incident befell a married couple from Portland, both of whom held executive positions with Nike. Christian and Michelle Deaton lost their lives when they were struck by lumber that shifted from a passing truck while they were cycling in Napa Valley, as reported by a local source.
The unfortunate accident occurred while Christian and Michelle were riding down the Silverado Trail just outside Napa, around 11 a.m. on a Tuesday. A flatbed truck attempted to pass them at a speed of approximately 40 mph, according to information provided by The Oregonian.
Tragically, during the truck’s passing, lumber that had been stacked in its bed shifted, causing a portion of the wood to hang over the truck’s edge. This section of lumber struck the Deatons, leading to the devastating outcome.
Christian, aged 52, lost his life at the scene of the accident, while Michelle, aged 48, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, as confirmed by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.
The 55-year-old truck driver, whose identity has not been disclosed by law enforcement, remained at the scene and cooperated with the ongoing investigation, according to NBC. The authorities have not yet determined whether he will face any criminal charges.
Meanwhile, friends and loved ones mourned the loss of this cheerful and adventurous couple, who had been married for 21 years and had a passion for travel and physical activities.
Cholee Thompson, a friend who first met Michelle during a group vacation, described Michelle as strong yet prone to giggling. Michelle had a zest for new experiences, whether it involved spontaneous hikes, bike trips, or kayaking. On the other hand, Christian was known for singing, dancing, and playing air guitar during gatherings with friends as they listened to vinyl records.
“They shared so much love for each other,” said Elizabeth LeMay, another friend of the couple who had previously worked with Christian at Nike. “They were a couple you come across once in a lifetime.”
Christian served as the Vice President of Product and Merchandising at Nike Swim, while Michelle was an EQ Design Studio Director, according to the Daily Mail. The couple resided in a million-dollar penthouse apartment in Portland.
The Deatons had been in Napa as part of a two-week road trip, which included attending a series of concerts and making stops in California and Las Vegas, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“They lived life so big that the hole that they left in all of us is just gaping,” Thompson shared with The Oregonian. “The two of them weren’t perfect, and they always strove to be better, but they really were pretty damn close to perfect.”
