White House staffer dead after bicycle crash in Maryland

MT. AIRY, Md. - A White House staffer is dead after a bicycle crash in Maryland's Howard County.

Police say it happened Saturday afternoon on Old Frederick Road near Twin Arch Road in Mt. Airy. Police say a preliminary investigation revealed that 34-year-old Jacob Thomas Brewer of Alexandria, Virginia, was riding his bike westbound Old Frederick Road when he entered a sharp curve and lost control. Police say Brewer crossed into the eastbound lanes of the roadway where the driver of a 2008 Honda Pilot struck him.

Online: Jake Brewer memorial education fund - https://www.gofundme.com/p54ggr8g

Police say Brewer was pronounced dead at the scene. Brewer worked in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as a senior adviser to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer.

On Sunday, President Obama released a statement on Brewer's passing.

"I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of one of my advisors, Jake Brewer. We set out to recruit the best of the best to join their government and help us harness the power of technology and data to innovate new solutions for the 21st century. 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. 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. I've often said that today's younger generation is smarter, more determined, and more capable of making a difference than I was as a young man. Jake was proof of that. Michelle and I are praying for all of Jake's family and his many friends, most of all his wife, Mary Katharine Ham, their daughter, Georgia, and their growing family. They'll always have a family here at the White House."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.