Princeton graduate dies after fatal bicycle accident

Minh-Thi Nguyen, a graduate of the class of 2021, died on June 21 after she was struck by a box truck while riding her bike in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Nguyen was pursuing a PhD in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at the time of the incident. The accident is currently being investigated by the Cambridge Police Department.

Nguyen, who received an AB degree in physics, was president of the Princeton Entrepreneurship Club (EClub). She also served as a peer academic advisor, volunteered as an Outdoor Action leader, and was a member of the Cap and Gown Club.

“Nguyen, affectionately known as ‘Chip’ to her family and ‘Mint’ to her friends, had a zest for life and adventure like no other, and she put others before herself – without exception,” said an obituary provided to The Daily Princetonian. According to Alexa Gomberg, a colleague of Nguyen’s at MIT, the obituary was written by friends and family.

At the time of publication, the “Prince” could not reach the Nguyen family.

Cambridge Bicycle Safety, a bicyclist advocacy group, held a vigil outside Cambridge City Hall on Monday for Nguyen and Kimberly Staley, another cyclist who was killed by a delivery truck while biking this month.

CBS News reported that Cambridge is working to implement Vision Zero, a bicycle safety program. The program would “impose 20 mph speed limits, ban right turns on red lights and improve bike lanes.”

Friends of Nguyen have set up a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the family. Community members are asked to donate in lieu of flowers.

The Prince will publish a Minh-Thi obituary in the coming weeks. If you would like to share your memories of Minh-Thi, please contact news(at)dailyprincetonian.com.

Olivia Sanchez is Prince’s deputy news editor. A New Jersey native, she frequently covers graduate school and academic departments.

Please send any corrections to corrections(at)dailyprincetonian.com.

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