Family, friends mourning the loss of brothers hit, killed by car in Utah
Apr 11, 2022, 4:18 PM | Updated: Jun 11, 2022, 10:40 pm
WASHINGTON CITY, Utah — Families and friends are mourning the lives of two brothers from California who were killed while cycling in southern Utah.
Police say 48-year-old Matthew Bullard and 49-year-old Adam Bullard were struck by a suspected impaired driver. The two were participating in the Spring Tour of St. George bike race Saturday when they were hit by an SUV in the bike lane on Telegraph Street near Coral Canyon Boulevard.
“As I turned the corner, I saw people out in the road — a couple of teenagers in cycling kits were screaming, there were two people on the ground receiving CPR from people who had stopped in their cars — and there were pieces of bike, the biggest pieces were the tires, but everything else was shattered and strewn all over the place,” said Mike Staten, who participated in the ride and got to the scene just after the crash happened.
According to a press release from the Washington City Police Department, both cyclists were found unresponsive.
“Life saving measures were initiated by witnesses and then continued by first responders upon arrival. Both patients were later transported to St. George Regional Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries,” stated the release.
California brothers struck, killed by vehicle while competing in Utah bike race
Both are from Whittier, California. Matthew leaves behind a wife and four children and Adam leaves behind a wife and son. Both men had their sons riding behind them in the race.
The brothers were avid cyclists. Those who knew them at the shop where Adam worked described them as good examples to all those around them who lived life to the fullest.
“Both just incredible family men,” said Steve Herrera, owner of The Cyclery Bike Shop. “Loved their families and loved their wives. True to faith and just very easy to admire.”
“Working with him day in and day out,” Mark Mendez, general manager of The Cyclery Bike Shop, said of Adam. “He was just a beautiful soul. He was always happy. He never had any bad intentions for anything.”
The Bullard brothers were both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Matthew had previously served as bishop of his congregation.
“Matt helped hundreds of people by being a bishop in their faith by working with the MS Society to generate funds to help others,” Herrera said. “Matt was selfless.”
Their friends take comfort in knowing that Matthew and Adam were together when they died and doing something they loved.
“Adam was a rock star,” Herrera said. “Adam was a guy in our industry and our cycling community, the likes of which there are very few like him.”
The driver of the car that hit them, 47-year-old Julie Budge from Hurricane, has been booked into jail on suspicion of automobile homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence and reckless driving.
A Bullard family spokesperson told KSL TV the family is wishing healing for everyone involved in the incident.
A GoFundMe* has been set up to help the family.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
