Robert "Storm" Townsend

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Robert "Storm" Townsend
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Age: 23

Location:
University Way
U-District
Seattle , WA
United States
from: http://www.ravennablog.com/2011/09/14/safer-roadways-press-conference-taking-place-in-u-district-thursday-morning/

From Komo News

SEATTLE -- In a business where time is money, Robert Townsend was at the top of his game.

"He
was fast - very fast - and happy," said Sarah Staples, Townsend's
coworker at the Jimmy Johns sandwich shop in the University District.
"He was having the best time on his bike, so at least he was having fun
in the end."

Police say Townsend was just a few blocks from work
Saturday night delivering sandwiches near the University of Washington
when he was hit and killed by a car.
Investigators believe Townsend was heading south on University Way
Northeast, when a driver turned into him. The impact threw the 23-year
old Arlington native from his bicycle.

"He was doing what he
loved. There's no denying that," said Kaleo Rendoni, Townsend's friend
and coworker. "Robert loved his bike, and he loved Jimmy Johns. He loved
everyone that worked there and we all loved him back."

At the
crash site Sunday, friends left a white bicycle wheel and attached a
large cross. A father mourned the son he taught to ride a bike.

"He had the heart and soul to do it," said Robert Townsend, Sr., holding back tears.

Friends
said they often called Townsend by his middle name, Storm, and that he
lived up to it, tearing up the road like a tornado and delivering
sandwiches twice as fast as the next guy.

"It's just so hard to believe," said coworker Steven Cole. "He was like the anchor for the store."

"I lost my best guy yesterday," Rendoni added.

Investigators
say Townsend was heading downhill at the time of the crash and might
not have been able to stop his bike in time. The driver of the car was
not impaired at the time of the accident, police added. As of Sunday
night, no charges had been filed in the case.

"It'd make me smile
every time I'd see him on a bike," said coworker Nick Haggard. "He'd
have the biggest most childish grin on his face because he was so happy
to be on his bike and doing what he loved."