Based on information from The Oregonian, a tragic incident occurred in California’s Napa Valley, where a husband and wife, both holding executive positions at Nike, lost their lives in an unusual accident. Reports indicate that they were hit by lumber that had shifted from a nearby truck’s cargo bed.
Michelle and Christian Deaton, residents of Portland, were cycling along a trail on the outskirts of Napa Valley in the morning. As a flatbed truck attempted to pass them, a stack of lumber in the bed of the Freightliner shifted, causing a section of the wood to protrude beyond the truck’s rear and tragically collide with the married couple.
According to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, Michelle succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, having been transported there by law enforcement, while her husband tragically lost his life at the accident site.
Portland biking couple killed when a stack of lumber fell off a truck.https://t.co/d4BzCWTOu1
— Anyone Can Bike (@AnyoneCanBike) October 23, 2023
The 55-year-old truck driver has not been officially disclosed by the police, but it is confirmed that he is a resident of Vallejo. The media source indicated that the driver remained cooperative with the authorities during the entire investigation, though the question of whether he will face criminal charges remains undisclosed.
In the aftermath of the incident, friends grieved for the couple who had been united in marriage for two decades. Cholee Thompson, a friend who had the opportunity to meet Michelle during a group vacation, shared with The Oregonian that the couple had a deep passion for maintaining an active lifestyle and exploring various destinations whenever possible.
Thompson mentioned that Christian had a strong fondness for singing and dancing while enjoying music with his friends. Another close friend of the Nike executives, Elizabeth LeMay, attested that the couple’s love for each other was so profound that most of their acquaintances regarded them as a once-in-a-lifetime kind of couple.
Michelle held the position of EQ design studio director, while Christian served as the vice president for merchandising and product at the company.
