Topeka native and University of Kansas graduate Steve Tilford, a popular figure at cycling events in Lawrence because of his outgoing personality and area roots, died early Wednesday morning on Interstate 70 near the Utah-Colorado border, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.

The report said that Tilford, 57, and one other man died in an accident involving two semi-trailer rigs and a van. A semi drifted off the road and the driver overcorrected, causing the truck to overturn and come to rest on its side, blocking eastbound lanes of I-70 at mile marker 214.

Tilford was in a van that crashed into and through the semi’s trailer, according to the report, which said he got out of the van and was standing next to it when a second semi struck and killed him. The driver of the second semi, Stanley Williams, 70, of Grand Junction, Colo., also died, according to the Tribune.

In a 2012 interview with the Journal-World, Tilford, who raced throughout the world, said of the Tour of Lawrence, “This is my favorite venue. I mean, you can race on (the KU) campus (Saturday) and race on (Massachusetts) Street (Sunday). You can’t ask for much more as a biker.”