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Victoria teen dies in Ride to Conquer Cancer after collision with car

A 16-year-old from Victoria has died after a reported head-on collision with a car near Arlington, Washington.
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Riders get set on Saturday for the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer.

UPDATE: The teenager's name was Xavier Pelletier, a Grade 10 student from Saanich and Pacific Christian School. His principal, David O'Dell, says he was "was active in volleyball, rugby, sailing and recently competed in a triathlon."

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A teen cyclist from Victoria (Saanich) in B.C. has died after a collision with a car in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The boy was 16 years old and was reportedly riding with his uncle and mother. He was hit by a car near Arlington, Wash. and died just after 10 a.m. PST.

According to CTV, "Police say he attempted to pass a group of cyclists and fell onto the road. The driver of an oncoming car was unable to swerve out of the way and struck the teen, who later died from his injuries."

"All who are associated with The Ride to Conquer Cancer have been deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of the rider," said Doug Nelson, president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation, according to CBC.ca.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a 200-km trip from Vancouver (2,642 riders started yesterday from Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey) to Seattle, and is known as B.C.'s largest cycling fundraiser. Riders this year have raised more than $10.4 million for the BC Cancer Agency.

The Ride also takes place in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. This is its fifth year in B.C.