A White House staffer was killed in a bicycling accident in Maryland on Friday, authorities said.
White House senior technology advisor Jake Brewer, 34, was taking part in a D.C. charity ride in Howard County at around 3:40 p.m. when he lost control during a curve and crossed into the path of a Honda Pilot, Howard County police and White House officials said
"I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of one of my advisors, Jake Brewer," President Barack Obama said in a statement Saturday.
"Simply put, Jake was one of the best. Armed with a brilliant mind, a big heart, and an insatiable desire to give back, Jake devoted his life to empowering people and making government work better for them," Obama said. "He worked to give citizens a louder voice in our society. He engaged our striving immigrants. He pushed for more transparency in our democracy. And he sought to expand opportunity for all."
Brewer leaves behind a wife and daughter, and another child is on the way, US. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith said. Brewer served as senior advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer, within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
"We lost our Jake yesterday, and I lost part of my heart and the father of my sweet babies,” Brewer’s wife, Mary Katharine Ham, said in a post to Instagram Saturday.
The driver of the Pilot was not injured, police said. Brewer was taking part in the Ride of Conquer Cancer event when he was killed, NBC Washington reported.
"I’ve often said that today’s younger generation is smarter, more determined, and more capable of making a difference than I was as a young man. Jake was proof of that," Obama said.
"Michelle and I are praying for all of Jake’s family and his many friends, most of all his wife, Mary Katharine Ham, their daughter, Georgia, and their growing family," Obama said. "They'll always have a family here at the White House."
