Oak Harbor couple killed in motorcycle accident

Oak Harbor couple killed in motorcycle accident

Two Oak Harbor residents were killed May 2 while riding a motorcycle through Central Whidbey.

According to the Island County Sheriff’s Office, two Oak Harbor residents were killed on May 2 when they drove a motorcycle off the road in Central Whidbey.

Sam Cullen, a sailor at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Susie Kedar, a barista at Whidbey Coffee, grew up on Long Island and were Farmingdale High School sweethearts. Petty Officer 2nd Class Cullen was 28 years old and Kedar was 27.

The tragedy represents the fourth and fifth traffic-related deaths on the island in just five weeks, which police described as unprecedented. In addition to the fatalities, three people were seriously injured in an accident on April 28.

The sheriff’s office had few details about the accident, which occurred at the intersection of Ebey and Cook streets. A Washington State Patrol investigator is helping analyze the crime scene.

While the Navy is helping with costs related to Cullen’s death, a GoFundMe account titled “Help Bring Suzie Home: A Tribute to Love” has been set up to bring Kedar back to her hometown for shared service. Well over $40,000 has been raised so far.

According to relatives, the tragedy occurred two days after Cullen picked up an engagement ring that he planned to give to Kedar.

“They planned to look at houses with a real estate agent Friday morning so they could start the next chapter of their lives,” Haley Paige, Cullen’s cousin, wrote on social media.

Whidbey Coffee reported the tragedy on its Facebook page and announced that all sales at the Highway 20 cafe on May 5 would go to the GoFundMe account.

“We have all come together to support our Whidbey Coffee family during this devastating time,” Whidbey Coffee’s post reads. “We’re all still in shock and just can’t understand that she’s gone.”

Paige noted that the couple moved in together after Cullen requested a transfer to NAS Whidbey to be closer to family. He hoped to work for Boeing or Microsoft after his active service ended, she wrote.

According to Jami Rosario, who is organizing the GoFundMe fundraiser, Cullen and Kedar have been together since high school.

“They met at Farmingdale High School, where Suzie, the student manager of the wrestling team, caught the attention of Sam, a two-time all-county wrestler,” Rosario wrote. “Sam and Suzie were about to get engaged and start the next chapter of their lives when it was tragically cut short.”

Paige remembers Kedar as “one of the best people” she ever knew.

“She was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day and we have a lot of them in Washington,” she wrote. “She was an incredible person. She had the biggest heart.”