Two Oak Harbor residents were killed when they were riding a motorcycle that left the roadway on Central Whidbey May 2, according to the Island County Sheriff’s Office.
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 marks the fourth and fifth traffic-related deaths on the island in just five weeks, which law enforcement described as unprecedented. In addition to the fatalities, three people were seriously injured in a crash on April 28.
The sheriff’s office had few details at the accident, which occurred at the intersection of Ebey and Cook roads. An investigator with the Washington State Patrol is assisting with the analysis of the scene.
While the Navy is helping with costs related to Cullen’s death, a GoFundMe account, “Help Bring Suzie Home: A Tribute to Love,” was started to transport Kedar back to her hometown for a combined service. Well over $40,000 has been raised so far.
The tragedy occurred two days after Cullen picked up an engagement ring he planned to give to Kedar, according to relatives.
“They had plans on Friday morning to look at houses together with a Realtor so they could start the next chapter of their lives,” Haley Paige, Cullen’s cousin, wrote on social media.
Whidbey Coffee posted about 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 rallied together to support our Whidbey Coffee Family during this devastating time,” the Whidbey Coffee post states. “We are all still in shock and can’t seem to wrap our head around the fact that she is gone.”
Paige noted that the couple moved together after Cullen requested a transfer to NAS Whidbey to be closer to family. He hoped to work for Boeing or Microsoft when he finished his active-duty term, she wrote.
According to Jami Rosario, who is organizing the GoFundMe fundraiser, Cullen and Kedar dated since high school.
“They met in Farmingdale High School, where Suzie, the wrestling team’s student manager, caught Sam, a two time All County wrestler’s eye,” Rosario wrote. “Sam and Suzie were about to be engaged and about to start the next chapter of their lives, when it was tragically cut short.”
Paige remembers Kedar as “one of the best people” she has ever known.
“She was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day and in Washington we have a lot of those,” she wrote. “She was an incredible person. She had the biggest heart.”
