Renowned Pianist Killed in Arizona Crash

A renowned pianist and Arizona State doctoral student was killed Thursday, Nov. 16, when a truck hit him while he was riding a bicycle, ABC15 reported.

Xiaoying Wen was hit by a truck at Rural Road and Vista del Cerro Drive in Tempe, Arizona. Friends said that the light was timed so that the driver and Wen had a green light at the same time. Police said that while they both had a green light, the truck had the right of way, according to ABC15.

Wen was struck in the crosswalk, according to Tempe police spokesperson Lily Duran reported The State Press.

Wen’s profile says he was from Chengdu City in China’s Sichuan Province.

He was pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, majoring in piano performance, according to Arizona State University’s website.

“Wen graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a Master of Music degree in piano performance and earned his Bachelor’s degree at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China,” according to his biography. “As a soloist, he was the winner of the Missouri State MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition and has held many recitals in his piano career.”

Dr. Baruch Meir, an associate professor of piano at Arizona State University, said that Wen was “one of the most talented people I have ever encountered.”

“He was a bright light among us and embraced life to the fullest. Anyone who knew Xiaoying could see his gentle soul, and his playfulness. He was really wonderful with children including my Zohar. He had a special generosity about him, a true kindness and a positive spirit,” he said, according to classical music website Slipped Disc.

“It’s been horrible for me and for his fellow students,” Meir added to The State Press. “We were in the hospital praying for a miracle.”

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