RICHMOND, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Islander Scott Huntley died doing what he loved.

“He had a need for speed and a love for it,” his girlfriend, Kristina Grande from Exeter told 12 News.

Around 4 p.m. on Sunday, the expert mountain biker from Richmond was in a serious crash while competing in a national championship in North Carolina.

The 34-year-old struck a tree during a downhill race at the 2024 Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships at Ride Rock Creek in Zirconia.

Chief Dustin Nicholson of the Green River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department said crews arrived as paramedic event staff were providing medical care.

Grande was at the race but didn’t immediately assume the worst when Huntley took longer than normal to cross over the finish line.

“An EMS technician came up to me and told me that when Scott was in the ambulance, he didn’t have a pulse,” Grande said. “My first thought was, ‘that’s fine, it’s Scott! If someone is going to come back from that, it’s going to be Scott.'”

Huntley was taken to an area hospital but passed away later that evening, according to USA Cycling .

His friend Nick Crawford says his death shocked those across the biking community.

“He loved this sport and he loved the people in it.” Crawford said. “He always gave it his all, and he was always willing to help anybody out that deserved it.”

Grande says she will remember her relationship with Huntley as a “fairytale.”

“He was so so loved,” Grande said. “He really loved that deep connection with everyone that he met, and I think he’d want us all to know that we all deserve to be loved fully in the way he loved us.”

Huntley’s plate number in the race bore the area code of his home state, #401.

On Monday, race organizer Eastern States Cup announced that the #401 plate number will be retired as a tribute to “one of the best to ever do it.” They will also hold a memorial downhill ride at 4:01 p.m. on Saturday in Huntley’s honor at this weekend’s races in Mount Snow, Vermont.

USA Cycling said it has been in contact with Huntley’s family and “extends its deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the broader cycling community.”

Huntley’s loved ones are also working on creating a scholarship to help kids in need who are interested in biking.

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