SAN JUAN COUNTY ACCIDENT

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Islanders remember Ryan LoBue

Students and friends gather to remember Ryan LoBue

Ryan Lobue dies after car/bicycle crash

A memorial next to Friday Harbor Drugstore includes a photo of Ryan LoBue's kindergarten class and a recent photo.

posted 09/14/03
Ryan LoBue, 18, was struck by a car on Bailer Hill Road on San Juan Island as he rode home on his motorized bicycle Friday (September 12, 2003). He was medevaced to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. He died at 2:37 a.m. Saturday. "His death truly bruised the heart of this community," said San Juan County Sheriff Bill Cumming.

The driver of the car, 21-year-old Giovanni Drew, and three passengers, were on their way from Jacksons Beach to the island's west side to watch the sunset when the crash occurred just north of Rancheros Drive, Cumming said. Both the bicycle and the car were traveling uphill. LoBue was thrown into the ditch and his bicycle onto the embankment. The driver did not stop at the scene and drove 3/4 of a mile and pulled onto another road, Cumming said.

Witnesses of the acccident called 911. LoBue was treated by emergency medical workers and neighbors before being transported to Friday Harbor Airport. He was taken by an Airlift Northwest helicopter to Harborview where a team of specialists awaited him. He died after undergoing surgery.

Ryan graduated in June 2003 from Friday Harbor High School.

Memorials are displayed on Second Street and at the crash site on Bailer Hill Road.

Shortly after the crash, two male passengers in the vehicle returned to the scene and provided information to sheriff's deputies. A successful search was made for the car. Drew went to the sheriff's office later Friday evening and was arrested on suspicion of felony of hit and run charges.

A preliminary hearing was held telephonically Saturday, September 13, 2003. She posted $5,000 and was released. The prosecutor's office will review the case and decide whether additional charges will be filed, Cumming said.

The investigation includes determining whether alcohol was involved, Cumming said. Deputies also are investigating if the time of day - the sun was low in the sky - was a factor in the crash.

LoBue grew up on San Juan Island and graduated from Friday Harbor High School in June 2003. He was nicknamed "Milhous" in kindergarten because of his resemblance to a character by that name on The Simpsons TV show. The nickname stuck inspite of the large afro hairstyle he sported in his high school years. LoBue was a long-time employee of King's Market.

He is survived by his mother, Toni, and his older brother, Daniel. His father, John, died from brain cancer in January 2003. He is also survived by his grandmother Annette Maas of Friday Harbor; grandmother Addie LoBue of Campbell, Calif.; uncles Steve Maas of Friday Harbor, and Dave Maas of Soquel, Calif; Mike LoBue of Campbell, Calif., and Steve LoBue of Ukiah, Calif.; Tony LoBue of Aptos, Calif., and Sam LoBue of San Jose, Calif.; aunt Marie Ens of San Jose, Calif.; and numerous cousins.

LoBue's brother, Daniel, was in Europe beginning a semester abroad as part of his University of Washington studies when the crash occurred. King's Market arranged for airfare for a return flight home.

Toni LoBue is in seclusion. Cumming said she wanted everyone to "realize how precious life is and how quickly it can end."

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