Obama ‘Heartbroken’ over Death of White House Staffer

President Obama Left ‘Heartbroken’ by ‘Tragic’ Death of White House Adviser (TIME)

U.S. President Barack Obama has led tributes to one of his technology policy advisers who was killed in a traffic collision over the weekend.

Jake Brewer, 34, was struck by an oncoming SUV after he rode his bike off of the designated track during the Ride to Conquer Cancer charity fundraiser bike race on Saturday in Mount Airy, Md. A trained triathlete, Brewer was taking part in the event in honor of a friend who had cancer. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the New York Times reports.

“I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of one of my advisors, Jake Brewer,” President Obama said in a statement posted on the White House’s website Sunday. “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.”