White House staffer Jake Brewer killed in cycling accident during charity ride

Russian hackers attack White House — White House staffer Jake Brewer was killed during a cycling event for a cancer charity. Reuters

White House senior technology advisor Jake Brewer was killed in a cycling accident during a charity run in Maryland on 18 September, authorities confirmed. The 34-year-old was participating in the Ride of Conquer Cancer event in Howard County when he lost control during a curve and crossed into the path of a Honda Pilot.

"I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of one of my advisors, Jake Brewer," President Barack Obama said in a statement released 19 September.

"Simply put, Jake was one of the best. Armed with a brilliant mind, a big heart, and an insatiable desire to give back, Jake devoted his life to empowering people and making government work better for them," the president said. "He worked to give citizens a louder voice in our society. He engaged our striving immigrants. He pushed for more transparency in our democracy. And he sought to expand opportunity for all."

US Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith said Brewer leaves behind a wife and daughter, with another child on the way.

We lost our Jake yesterday, and I lost part of my heart and the father of my sweet babies. I don't have to tell most of you how wonderful he was. It was self-evident. His life was his testimony, and it was powerful and tender and fierce, with an ever-present twinkle in the eye. I will miss him forever, even more than I can know right now. No arms can be her father's, but my daughter is surrounded by her very favorite people and all the hugs she could imagine. This will change us, but with prayer and love and the strength that is their companion, we can hope our heartache is not in vain-- that it will change us and the world in beautiful ways, just as he did. If that sounds too optimistic at this time, it's because it is. But there was no thought too optimistic for Jake, so take it and run with it. I will strive and pray not to feel I was cheated of many years with him, but cherish the gift of the years I had. In a life where nothing is guaranteed, Jake made the absolute, ever-lovin' most of his time with all of us. This is a family picture we took a couple weeks ago. It was taken because Jake, as always, was ready with a camera and his immense talent. All four members of our little, growing family are in it. I can never be without him because these babies are half him. They are made of some of the strongest, kindest stuff God had to offer this world. Please pray that he can see us and we'll all make him proud. God, I love him. Psalm 34:18, Philippians 1:3
A photo posted by Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammertime) on Sep 20, 2015 at 7:25am PDT

Brewer's wife, Mary Katherine Ham, posted a tribute to her husband on Instagram. "We lost our Jake yesterday, and I lost part of my heart and the father of my sweet babies. I don't have to tell most of you how wonderful he was. It was self-evident. His life was his testimony, and it was powerful and tender and fierce, with an ever-present twinkle in the eye. I will miss him forever, even more than I can know right now," she wrote.

NBC News reported that the driver of the vehicle was not injured during the accident.

President Obama added, "Michelle and I are praying for all of Jake's family and his many friends, most of all his wife, Mary Katherine Ham, their daughter, Georgia, and their growing family ... They'll always have a family here at the White House."

Brewer had an impressive career, working on Change.org and the immigration reform advocacy organisation Define American. Brewer's mother, Lori Collins, told the Washington Post that her son was dedicated to his work, which he loved.

A Jake Brewer memorial educational fund has been set up on the GoFundMe page for Ham and their children. The page says the funds raised may also be used "to advance ideas about which Jake was passionate."

So far, $104,463 of the target $200,000 has been raised. Ham has also asked people to consider donating to the Travis Manion Foundation which supports the families of fallen US servicemen.

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