Tributes flow for Alicia Celaya Jauregui after fatal Canberra crash

A Canberra tennis coach who died in a bicycle crash has been described as “such a vibrant person”.

Tennis coach Alicia Celaya Jauregui, who died after a crash in Canberra on Wednesday. Picture: Tennis Canberra

Tributes are flowing for a tennis coach who died after a P-plater allegedly crossed to the wrong side of a Canberra road and hit her at speed as she cycled to work.

Alicia Celaya Jauregui, 36, died at Canberra Hospital on Wednesday, having been rushed there in a critical condition after her bicycle was struck by a grey BMW on Lady Denman Drive, at the base of Black Mountain.

Tennis Canberra director Robbie Manzano paid tribute to the Uruguayan, who had recently moved to the ACT from the Gold Coast, in a video posted on Facebook on Thursday.

“She was our ball of energy, such a vibrant person,” Mr Manzano said.

“Those who were able to be coached by her, supervised by her, you are very lucky.”

Alicia Celaya Jauregui, left, with a colleague. Picture: Tennis Canberra

Mr Manzano said the tennis community in Canberra had been like a family to Ms Celaya Jauregui, who had relocated to the nation’s capital by herself.

“She started settling down and creating a name for herself in the tennis industry in such a small space of time,” he said.

The tennis boss said there would be a gathering held in honour of Ms Celaya Jauregui in the coming days.

“Just be good to each other,” he said, ending his video with a heartfelt personal message.

“Give your loved ones a hug. Treat everyone with respect and just kind of live your day to the fullest because the saddest part is Alicia was loving her time here in Canberra.”

Cycling advocacy group Pedal Power also released a statement in response to the incident, which was the second fatality on ACT roads in 2024.

“We have already received feedback from our members and the community, who have told us they feel that Lady Denman Drive, and the area around this intersection, are unsafe,” Pedal Power ACT executive director Simon Copland said.

“Members have raised concerns about excessive speed along the road and sadly, in this case, it has allegedly caused someone’s death.

“Pedal Power will continue to advocate for safer, slower streets across all of Canberra.”

ACT Policing is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash that claimed Ms Celaya Jauregui’s life.

On Thursday, Acting Inspector Travis Mills said the information currently available to police suggested the 18-year-old male driver of the BMW was allegedly speeding at the time of the collision.

“It appears that the vehicle has crossed onto the incorrect side of the road, into the path of the cyclist,” Acting Inspector Mills said.

The senior police officer said witnesses had already provided investigators with “vital pieces of information”.

He added that investigators from ACT Policing’s major collision team had also spoken to the BMW driver, who was co-operating with police.

The driver, who holds a NSW provisional licence, has not been charged over the crash.

“If there are charges to be laid, they will be the appropriate charges to be laid at the appropriate time,” Acting Inspector Mills said.

“A report will be prepared for the ACT coroner in regards to this matter.”