EVERETT — An Everett father, artist and cycling enthusiast was killed Wednesday night after being struck by a pickup truck on his way home from work.
Trent Graham, 30, was riding his bicycle along Evergreen Way just south of the intersection with SW Everett Mall Way.
Just after 7:15 p.m., a southbound pickup drifted left across three northbound lanes and struck the curb, Graham and a power pole, Everett police officer Aaron Snell said.
Graham died from blunt-force injuries to the torso, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The pickup driver, 56, of Kirkland, was taken to a local hospital. His injuries weren’t believed to be life-threatening.
Everett traffic-safety detectives were investigating whether drugs, alcohol or medical problems played a role in the crash, Snell said. They impounded the truck and collected evidence at the scene. They also were awaiting laboratory test results.
No arrests had been made Thursday.
Graham was a salesman at Gregg’s Cycles in Alderwood, and committed to getting around under his own power, said his mother, Monica Quigley of Everett.
“He didn’t like to drive. He was so proud of all the miles” he logged bicycling, she said.
Graham is survived by a 12-year-old son, who lives in Tacoma.
He was an accomplished artist and a big fan of Burning Man, an annual art gathering in the Nevada desert.
“He was just so fun,” his mother said. “He had so many friends. He just loved to have fun.”
Graham started working at the cycle center in March, store manager Robert Stumpf*
said Thursday. He was a reliable and knowledgeable employee.
“He quickly became a valued member of our staff and was extremely well-liked by everyone here,” Stumpf said. “He was very excited to come to work every day and share his passion for cycling. He commuted by bike and believed very much in living a car-free lifestyle and it’s just such a tragedy that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Graham loved talking about cycling, and connecting people to the sport, regardless of whether they were serious mountain bikers or just looking to get a little exercise, Stumpf said.
Graham liked to brew beer, and sometimes talked about becoming a professional brewer, Stumpf said.
He had just showed some of his art at the most recent Burning Man festival.
“He was so excited to open that part of his life and share it with others,” Stumpf said. “He’s going to be missed.”
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com
Memorial fund
Graham’s family has opened a memorial account to help fund burial expenses and to build a trust for his son. People can donate to the “Trenton Graham Memorial Fund” at any Washington State Employees Credit Union branch.
* Correction, Oct. 24, 2012: This article originally misspelled the last name of Robert Stumpf.
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