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Reigning US cycling champion killed by ‘drug driver’ while riding with husband

US national cycling champion Gwen Inglis was struck and killed by a car on Sunday while training near her Denver home, she was 47

Inglis, the reigning US road race champion in the 45-to-49 age group, was riding with her husband, Mike, around 10am on Sunday in the Denver suburb of Lakewood when a Nissan sedan driven by Ryan Scott Montoya, 29, drifted into the bike lane where she was riding.

Her husband, Mike Inglis, 56, also a successful cyclist, was riding behind her at the time of the crash, according to police.

Reigning US cycling champion killed by ‘drug driver’ while riding with husband

Montoya remained at the scene and was facing possible charges of vehicular homicide, Montoya told police he was not texting at the time of the accident, but admitted to drinking alcohol and using marijuana the night before.

Gwen’s husband, Mike, said: ‘It just hurts. Everything hurts, and it’s really enraging, beyond enraging, that in the state of Colorado it seems like people get away with lots of DUI’s.’ USA Cycling said in a statement: ‘We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gwen Inglis. The Masters Road Race National Champion was hit by a driver on her training ride Sunday morning and later passed away at the hospital. 

Teammate Barry Lee said Inglis’s personality stood out in the world of cycling, “She was the most humble, gracious and sweetest soul and magical spirit in this elitist and ego dominated sport,” Lee said. “She represented the pure joy and love of the bike and the sport that I so dearly cherish and appreciate. She was the calm and gentle champion with the inner strength grace and beauty I so respected and was always inspired by.”

The Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado, part of USA Cycling, described Inglis as a “particularly special person” in a statement mourning her loss, “Colorado cycling lost one of their best yesterday,” the statement read. “There are few words that can express the feeling of loss for any of our cycling community, and Gwen was a particularly special person. She was a multiple National and State Champion on the bike and very well known across the cycling community in Colorado. Even more impressive was her character off the bike. Knowing Gwen, you would immediately be aware of her strongest qualities. She consistently brought joy into all her relationships, and she openly accepted everyone.”

USA Cycling said in a statement: ‘We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gwen Inglis. The Masters Road Race National Champion was hit by a driver on her training ride Sunday morning and later passed away at the hospital. We are sending our thoughts to Gwen’s family during this difficult time.’ Gwen was a member of the Black Swift/Cycleton Cycling Team and had recently competed with the Stages Cycling Team.

Montoya is being held at the Jefferson County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond. He is charged with DUI, operating an uninsured vehicle, and vehicular homicide involving DUI. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf and he is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.