Alexandria Man, White House Staffer Dies in Charity Bike Ride Accident

By FEROZE DHANOA (Patch National Staff)

A White House staffer from Alexandria died Saturday during a charity bicycle ride in Howard County.

The staffer, identified as Jacob Thomas Brewer, 34, of Alexandria, died after his bicycle went out of control at a sharp curve, crossed the double yellow lines and collided with an oncoming vehicle in the Mount Airy area around 3:40 p.m., according to Howard County police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle was not injured, police said. He was identified as Kenneth Michael Griffin, 51, of Mount Airy.

Brewer was riding in the Ride to Conquer Cancer event, a two-day ride that raises money to combat cancer.

“It is with heavy hearts that we inform you today there was a fatal accident involving a Ride to Conquer Cancer rider,” a statement on the Ride to Conquer website said.

President Obama released the following 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.”

Brewer was a senior policy advisor in the Office of The Chief Technology Officer.

Police are investigating the collision.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for Brewer’s children. Here’s what it says:

On Saturday, September 19, we lost our beloved Jake. He was participating in a charity bicycle race to benefit cancer research -- doing what he loved in the service of others. The pain and shock is devastating. Jake leaves behind an adoring wife, Mary Katharine, a beautiful toddler, Georgia, and another baby on the way. Mary Katharine writes:

“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...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. [The photo on this post] 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.”

Here’s more from the page:

“Those of us who love Jake want to help ensure that Mary Katharine and the family have everything they need -- now and (especially) in the future. Please contribute to help provide for their childrens’ education as they grow up. These funds may also be used to advance ideas about which Jake was passionate. Finally, Mary Katharine has asked that people consider donating to a cause very close to their hearts: The Travis Manion Foundation, which supports families of fallen US servicemen, at www.TravisManion.org. God bless you.”

As of Sunday night, four hours after the GoFundMe page went up, more than $60,000 had been donated by 579 people.

Image via GoFundMe

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Brewer as an Arlington resident. The information has since been corrected. Patch regrets the error.