University of Kentucky graduate Neill Townsend, 32, was killed Friday morning in an accident in Chicago while on his way to work. Mr. Townsend, the son of UK College of Agriculture entomology professor Lee Townsend and Jane Townsend, was riding his bicycle on the Near North Side when he swerved to avoid an opening car door.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Mr. Townsend swerved away from the door and either fell or was thrown from his bike and landed in the path of a semitrailer traveling the same direction; he died at the scene. The man who opened the car door was cited by Chicago police; the accident is under investigation.

Mr. Townsend moved to Chicago to attend law school at DePaul University; he worked as law clerk for the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2009-2010, then worked for the design firm Minimal, Inc. Besides his parents, Mr. Townsend is survived by his brother, Scott, and stepsister Adrienne.

A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday at Milward-Man O' War. Visitation will Thursday 4-8 p.m.