Female Ukrainian refugee, 23, rejects plea deal for striking and killing 17 year-old Team USA cyclist with her car 'after falling asleep at the wheel'

The female Ukrainian refugee who struck and killed a 17 year-old Team USA cyclist with her car has rejected a plea deal nearly eight months after the tragic incident. 

Yeva Smilianska, 23, is facing reckless driving resulting in vehicular homicide after she hit champion Boulder cyclist Magnus White while allegedly 'falling asleep at the wheel.' 

The charge, a class four felony in Colorado, carries a potential penalty of two to six years in prison and a fine ranging from $2,000 to $500,000. 

During the court session on Friday, Smilianska's defense attorney requested a delay to facilitate the review of the extensive 70 hour body-cam footage. The request was granted by Judicial District Court Judge Patrick Butler, and Smilianska did not enter a plea at that time. 

The parents of the 17-year-old Team USA cyclist expressed their dismay after Friday's decision, stating, 'It hurts emotionally and physically as we continue to confront every day without Magnus.' 

Yeva Smilianska, 23, is facing reckless driving resulting in vehicular homicide after she hit champion Boulder cyclist Magnus White while allegedly 'falling asleep at the wheel' 

U.S. Junior Men's National Team Cyclist Magnus White has been killed at the age of 17 after being hit by a car while training in his home of Boulder, Colorado

In July 2023, 'rising star' of US cycling Magnus White (pictured) was hit from behind by Yeva Smilianska. During the court session on Friday, Smilianska's defense attorney requested a delay to facilitate the review of the extensive 70 hour body-cam footage

'The driver's decision to not enter a plea at this time and file a motion to extend the proceedings does not surprise us. It only delays the outcome of the case and prolongs our suffering. Each court appearance continues to, and will continue to take us back to reliving the day Magnus was killed,' the statement read.

In July 2023, 'rising star' of USA cycling Magnus White was hit from behind by the 23-year-old woman who was at the wheel of a Toyota Matrix just after 12:30 pm. 

White was scheduled to race at the upcoming world championships before he was struck whilst out on a training ride on Highway 119 near his home in Boulder, Colorado.

The collision forced White and his bike off the road and into a fence where his bike came to rest. Colorado State Patrol say speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash.

The parents of the 17-year-old Team USA cyclist expressed their dismay after Friday's decision. 'It hurts emotionally and physically as we continue to confront every day without Magnus,' their statement read. Magnus leaves behind his parents Jill and Michael and his brother Eero

He was gearing up to represent the U.S. Cycling National Team in the mountain biking world championships before the unfortunate incident.

Despite initially claiming car trouble, investigators found no mechanical issues with the vehicle and suspect Smilianska may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

In a statement, she claimed to have slept a few hours the night before.

Magnus's parents highlighted the pain of losing their son and the void left by his absence over the past eight months.

They said the court appearances prolong their suffering - taking them back to the day Magnus was killed.

They urged the court to recognize his death as a crime rather than an accident, emphasizing that Smilianska's actions had not only stolen Magnus's future but also irreparably shattered their lives.

Smilianska, who posted a $100,000 personal recognizance bond in December, is set to appear in court on May 24.

White's family has established The White Line, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for safer cycling environments and preserving Magnus's memory.    

'We are living through every parent's worst nightmare. Every missed significant milestone in his life, each holiday, and now every court proceeding bring a heavy tidal wave of emotions that no family should ever have to experience. It hurts emotionally and physically as we continue to confront every day without Magnus,' the parents said in a statement after the court appearance.

White was a rising multidisciplinary star, winning the Junior 17-18 Cyclocross National Championships in 2021 and earning a place on the U.S. national team which he called a 'pivotal moment' as it provided him with opportunities to race in Europe

White is seen on the podium during the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in 2022

USA Cycling announced White's death in a statement after his death.

'He was a rising star in the off-road cycling scene and his passion for cycling was evident through his racing and camaraderie with his teammates and local community,' the body said in a statement. 'We ride for Magnus.'

'We offer our heartfelt condolences to the White family, his teammates, friends, and the Boulder community during this incredibly difficult time.'

White was a rising multidisciplinary star, winning the Junior 17-18 Cyclocross National Championships in 2021 and earning a place on the U.S. national team which he called a 'pivotal moment' as it provided him with opportunities to race in Europe.

He went on to compete with the USA Cycling National Team for a full season of European Cyclocross racing and closed out the year at the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championship in Arkansas.

He was picked to represent the U.S. again at this year's cyclocross worlds in the Netherlands and this summer he earned a spot on the Mountain Bike World Championships team.

White began to dabble in road cycling and mountain biking this season.

He had been focused on his final preparations before leaving for Glasgow in Scotland to compete in the Junior Men's Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships on August 10.

White was on one of his final training rides when the accident occurred on weeks before he was to start his senior year in high school

White had been focused on his final preparations before leaving for Glasgow in Scotland to compete in the Junior Men's Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships on August 10

White was on one of his final training rides when the accident occurred on weeks before he was to start his senior year in high school.

White began racing at a national level when he was 10 and credited his father for introducing him to the sport.

'When I was growing up, my dad really got me into cycling because he raced road, then I discovered my local team (Boulder Junior Cycling), which has some really great coaches who got me where I am today,' White said in his profile on the USA Cycling website.

'In the summer of 2023, I am set to embark on a new and exciting chapter of my cycling career: a debut in the international mountain bike racing circuit, proudly wearing the Team USA jersey,' he wrote.

He is survived by his parents, Michael and Jill, and his brother, Eero. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family by Christine Lipson, whose son is White's close friend and teammate.

'Magnus was taken from us while doing what he loved most, riding his bike,' Lipson wrote in the appeal.

USA Cycling issued a statement on Sunday announcing the heartbreaking news of his death days before he was to compete in Scotland

'Magnus's family is strong, but support from their community will go a long way to give them time to grieve.

'Magnus's greatest joy in life was cycling after playing flag football when he was younger. He was also an accomplished skier.

'He began cycling when he was eight and quickly rose through the cycling ranks.

'Magnus's journey in cycling was driven by a tireless work ethic and a deep desire to achieve his personal best.

'He was proud to represent his community and country around the world.'