Matt Dieckmann, 29, of Santa Rosa, Calif., was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on the morning of Aug. 30 in the Sonoma County city. It remains to be confirmed, but Dieckmann may be the first North American traffic fatality involving an electric motorcycle rider. Officials are still investigating the crash.

Local newspaper the Press Democrat reports Dieckmann crashed into the passenger side of a left-turning Toyota Prius driven by 71-year-old Santa Rosa resident Gilbert Dorame.

Electric Race Bikes competed in the North American TTXGP racing series, with rider Mike Hannas finishing on the podium of the series’ debut race at Infineon Raceway. At the Elkhart Lake round, Dieckmann showed good sportsmanship in donating a key part to Team Werkstatt who would have otherwise been forced to withdraw. According to the Associated Press, Dieckmann was working with an Indian company to promote electric motorcycles in India.

Electric motorcycle builder Travis Gintz has set up a fund to help cover Dieckmann’s funeral expenses. Any money left over will be put into a fund to support grassoots electric motorcycle racing.