A Night That Changed Everything: The Courage of Colden Kimber
He wasn’t meant to be the hero that night. Colden Kimber had almost canceled his plans—a simple date night turned into a final, selfless act of bravery that shook an entire neighborhood.
Just moments before tragedy struck, witnesses recall the towering cyclist sharing laughter with his girlfriend, unaware that fate was about to thrust him into a life-or-death confrontation.
San Francisco Mourns a Fallen Protector
Colden Kimber, standing 6’4” and a respected member of San Francisco’s cycling community, lost his life on July 26 after bravely stepping in during a violent encounter at the Ingleside Muni stop.
The evening had started as any other, but when Kimber and his girlfriend noticed a man aggressively confronting a mother and her young children, Colden didn’t hesitate.
Sean Collins, 29, was verbally assaulting the family. Colden stepped in to shield them. Surveillance footage and legal filings reveal the sudden horror that followed:
Collins lunged forward and stabbed Kimber in the neck with a six-inch knife. The attack was abrupt, shocking, and unprovoked.
The children, aged 8 and 14, witnessed the harrowing scene unfold. Colden was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital for emergency surgery but tragically did not survive.
Justice and a Community in Shock
Collins was apprehended nearby, bloodied and in custody. He now faces a murder charge, with arraignment set for August 14. A mental health evaluation has been ordered, though the results remain private.
Colden’s life was marked by passion and promise. A kinesiology student at San Francisco State University, he dreamed of a career in sports medicine. He had previously played semi-pro hockey and was a devoted cyclist on the Dolce Vita Cycling Team.
His connection to cycling was deeply personal—once stepping in for his mother during a triathlon while she battled breast cancer, a testament to his dedication and resilience.
“Colden was a beacon of positivity,” said Bradley Woehl, owner of American Cyclery, where Kimber worked. “He lifted everyone around him. We didn’t just lose a teammate—we lost a rare soul.”
Remembering Colden
His mother, Lara Litchfield-Kimber, established a GoFundMe to honor his memory and support those left behind. “Colden leaves a grieving girlfriend, a younger sister, and a community spanning coasts that cherished him.” The fundraiser has already surpassed $81,500.
Final Thoughts
Colden Kimber’s last act was one of fearless compassion. Tall not only in stature but in spirit, he stood firm to protect strangers when others might have turned away.
His courage shines as a powerful example in times often overshadowed by silence and hesitation. Colden gave everything—his life, his light—to save others. His sacrifice resonates deeply, a legacy etched in the hearts of those he saved and those who knew him.