As the sun begins to set on Sunday evening, the steps of Liberty Bicycles on Hendersonville Road will become a space not for business, but for remembrance. The same location that once echoed with laughter, the rhythmic clicking of gears, and the shared passion of cycling will now carry the quiet weight of sorrow. Two chairs will remain empty, two helmets will rest silently among the flowers, and two names—Leonard Antonelli and Jacob Hill—will be repeated with reverence, grief, and love by a shaken community.
The tragedy that claimed the lives of 27-year-old Leonard Antonelli and 32-year-old Jacob Hill has cut deeply into Asheville’s cycling community, leaving friends, family, teammates, and shop owners reeling. A third cyclist, whose name has not been publicly released, survived the harrowing crash with injuries. The incident occurred earlier this week on Tuesday evening along N.C. Highway 251 near Marshall, a route frequented by cyclists for its scenic, rolling landscape—a route that on this day, became the setting for devastation.
According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the crash happened when a dump truck driven by Cody Monday crossed the center line and collided with the group of cyclists. As of the latest update, no charges have been filed against Monday, and the investigation remains ongoing.
But for those closest to Antonelli and Hill, the facts of the crash—though important—are only a fraction of the story. What looms far larger are the lives that were lived, the passions that were pursued, and the legacies left behind in tire tracks, smiles, and shared miles on the open road.
Leonard Antonelli: A Teammate, a Friend, a Force on Two Wheels
Inside Liberty Bicycles, where Antonelli had worked for nearly four years, his memory lingers in every corner. His bike still rests in the back shop, a worn racing number hangs from a bulletin board, and his coworkers speak of him in the present tense, as if saying goodbye is too much to bear just yet.
Ben Hamrick, co-owner of Liberty Bicycles, remembered Leonard not only as an elite cyclist, but as a man who embodied the essence of teamwork. “He liked being successful, but he also liked his teammates being successful,” Hamrick shared. “The biggest thrill he would get is having all his teammates there and all working together and them all having a successful race.”
Hamrick paused as he recounted this, his voice faltering. “That’s rare,” he added. “You meet competitors, but Leonard was a connector.”
Sam White, the other co-owner, echoed that sentiment. “He was a flower blooming,” White said softly. “Unfortunately, he was snuffed from us too early.”
Antonelli’s rise in the cycling world was marked by determination and passion. He wasn’t a cyclist who came from wealth or privilege—he built his way up through grit and an unwavering love for the sport. He had recently started mentoring new riders, offering both technical guidance and emotional encouragement. “He’d stay late just to make sure someone’s derailleur was perfect,” said a Liberty Bikes coworker. “He wanted everyone to ride their best.”
Jacob Hill: Steady, Kind, and Unshakably Devoted
While Antonelli’s energy often filled a room, Jacob Hill was quieter—steadier, in the words of his longtime friend and riding partner, Darren Miles. “Jacob didn’t ride for glory,” Miles said. “He rode because it made him feel alive. He rode because it gave him peace.”
Hill, 32, had worked in engineering, balancing a demanding job with his passion for long-distance rides and community cycling events. His presence at local races wasn’t about winning—it was about camaraderie. “He was the guy you’d find helping someone fix a flat at the start line,” said one local rider.
Hill’s impact went beyond cycling. He volunteered at Asheville’s community garden and often participated in local charity rides supporting food banks and youth mentorship. “Jacob believed in movement, in service, in kindness,” said his sister, Rachel. “We lost a brother, but Asheville lost a friend in every sense.”
The Crash on N.C. 251: A Devastating Turn on Familiar Roads
The winding stretch of N.C. Highway 251 is a favored training route for experienced cyclists—a place where the French Broad River sparkles to one side and hardwood forests press in from the other. On Tuesday evening, as daylight softened into golden hues, the trio of cyclists were making their way along this familiar route when tragedy struck.
According to Highway Patrol officers, a dump truck driven by Cody Monday veered across the center line for reasons that remain under investigation. The impact was immediate and catastrophic. Witnesses who arrived shortly after the collision reported seeing crumpled bicycles and the shattered remains of helmets strewn across the roadside.
Emergency responders were dispatched rapidly, but for Antonelli and Hill, the injuries were fatal. The third cyclist was stabilized and transported to a nearby hospital. His condition has since improved, but he has not spoken publicly.
Cody Monday, the driver, has been identified but not charged. Highway Patrol officials confirm that toxicity screens and mechanical checks are underway as part of the investigation. Monday remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. His statement, sources say, described a “momentary lapse” and “an evasive maneuver gone wrong.”
Still, for the community, answers have yet to come. And justice, if any, remains uncertain.
Liberty Bicycles: A Shop in Mourning
The storefront of Liberty Bicycles has transformed into a memorial. Handwritten notes are taped to the windows, bouquets of wildflowers and racing jerseys hang from bike racks, and candles flicker quietly each evening.
Inside, the team continues to work—somehow. “It’s hard,” said technician Mike Lansing. “We look at Leonard’s toolbox and it feels like he’s just out for a ride. Then it hits you all over again.”
A spontaneous memorial ride was held Wednesday night, with more than 200 cyclists riding a slow, silent loop around Asheville in honor of the fallen riders. Police officers escorted the procession, and families of both men watched from the curbside, weeping as helmets were raised in tribute.
Sunday’s Memorial: A Community Gathers to Grieve and Remember
On Sunday at 3 p.m., Liberty Bicycles will open its doors not to customers, but to mourners. The memorial is expected to draw hundreds—fellow cyclists, Liberty customers, Asheville residents, and friends from neighboring towns.
Organizers say the event will include an open mic for those who wish to share memories, as well as a formal tribute by co-owners Ben Hamrick and Sam White. A moment of silence will be held at 3:27 p.m.—a gesture reflecting Leonard’s age.
A “ghost bike” installation is also planned. Two white-painted bicycles will be chained near the crash site on N.C. 251, permanently marking the loss and serving as a call for greater road safety.
The families of Antonelli and Hill will be in attendance, though they have requested privacy from the media during the event.
A Call for Change: Road Safety and Cyclist Protection
Beyond grief, this tragedy has sparked conversations about cyclist safety in Buncombe County and across North Carolina. Advocates are urging the Department of Transportation to reassess the safety measures along N.C. 251, including the possibility of designated bike lanes, speed limit reductions, and clearer signage for truck drivers.
“This was preventable,” said Rachel Hill. “Our roads must not be death traps for people simply trying to stay healthy and do what they love.”
Local lawmakers, including Asheville City Council members, have issued statements expressing condolences and support for possible legislative review.
Carrying the Torch: Honoring the Legacy
For all who knew Leonard Antonelli and Jacob Hill, honoring their memory is not a passive task. It means living with the same passion, humility, and dedication they exemplified.
“We will ride for them,” said Hamrick. “Every climb we conquer, every race we enter, every new rider we welcome into the fold—we’ll carry their legacy with us.”
Jacob Hill’s family plans to establish a scholarship for aspiring engineers who are also athletes. Leonard Antonelli’s teammates are organizing a yearly memorial ride, with proceeds going toward youth cycling development in Western North Carolina.
In the end, this isn’t just a story of a crash.
It’s a story of two lives lived with purpose, of a community bound by spokes and sweat, and of a tragic silence that now echoes down N.C. 251. But in that silence, there is memory. There is legacy. And above all, there is love—etched into every turn of the wheel.