Winemaker dies after his bike is struck by alleged drunk driver

Mark Osbourne, an Australian native who worked as an enologist Gary Farrell Winery in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, has died after his bicycle was struck by an alleged drunk driver.

Mr Osbourne, 53, was said to be riding his bicycle along High School Road on 12 May when a driver who was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol struck him.

The driver, identified by the San Francisco Chronicle as 27-year-old Ulises Valdez, was travelling at high speed when he lost control of his vehicle on a curve and veered onto the road’s shoulder. He collided first with a 12-year-old bicyclist and then with Osbourne.

Valdez, Osbourne and the 12-year-old were all transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. The preteen was later moved to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland.

It was subsequently established that Mr Valdez had been under the influence of alcohol, and he was arrested for felony DUI, according to police officials.

Mark Osbourne was hailed as an “amazing winemaker” and adventurous spirit by close friends and his partner.

“He loved life,” said Tracy Hinman, Osbourne’s partner, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

“He was not a sit-around-and-watch-TV person. Every day was: What’s today’s adventure? He always wanted to learn something new.”

Close friend Brent McKoy – a fellow winemaker at Gary Farrell Winery – hailed Osbourne’s ability in his profession, saying:

“He was the person we talked to about all our technical stuff; he was incredibly smart, well read and well rounded — very scientific.”

Mark Osbourne is survived by his partner, Tracy Hinman, his parents Sean and Anne Osborne, and his sister Paula Matters.

H/T: San Francisco Chronicle