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Shop employees die in bike accidents

Published October 26, 2012

OLYMPIA, WA (BRAIN) — The bike retail business lost two members recently. Each was killed in a vehicle accident while bicycling.

Trent Graham, 30, an employee at Gregg's Cycle in Washington, was killed after being struck by a truck while riding on October 17.

And on Wednesday in Kentucky, Jason Baines was killed in an accident in Lexington. Baines, 41, worked at Lexington Bicycle Center.

Gregg's remembers Graham as co-worker and friend

Graham was an avid cyclist and bike commuter, according to a statement by Gregg's Cycle.

"Trent was a member of the sales staff at Gregg's Alderwood Cycle and he will be sorely missed. ... Trent had a passion for cycling and used a bike as his primary form of transportation. He was passionate about cycling, art and the outdoors and leaves behind a 12-year-old son. Trent's death is tragic as he was only 30 years old and in the prime of his life. His departure has deeply impacted the Gregg's staff who viewed Trent as not only a valued coworker, but also a dear friend."

A memorial fund has been set up in Graham's name, in an effort to build a trust for his son. Donations may be sent to:

Trent Graham Memorial Fund

Box: WSECU

Olympia, WA 98507

According to the HeraldNet.com, Graham was commuting home from work just after 7:15 p.m., when a pickup drifted left across three on-coming lanes and struck the curb, Graham and a power pole. Graham died from blunt-force injuries to the torso, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office.

No arrests had been made Thursday.

More: The Herald: Bicyclist killed was well-liked Everett Artist

Baines leaves fiancé

According to Kentucky.com, police said Baines appeared to be at fault for the accident. The site reported that he rode between two cars stopped at an intersection and was struck by a turning car.

“It looks like the bicyclist is the one at fault,” Lexington police Lt. Chris Van Brackel told the news site. “This isn’t a crosswalk where he’s crossing, and for him to dart out from between two vehicles in front of the car, it looks like there’s no way that other driver could have done anything to avoid the crash.”

Baines is survived by his mother and stepfather, Susan Pickett and Jack Kroeger; two brothers; his fiancee, Elli Wright of Lexington; one niece and four nephews.

A funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown with Dr. Danny Haynes officiating.

Burial follows in Hardin Memorial Park. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and continues at 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

More: WKYT: Police stress safety after bicyclist dies

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