'Great loss to our city': Durham's budget director John Allore killed during bike ride

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Durham community is mourning the loss of one of its own. John Allore, 59, died Thursday morning after being hit by a driver during his morning bike ride.

Allore was the City of Durham's Budget Director. He joined the Bull City leadership team in June of 1999 as an accountant. He worked in various finance roles until he was named budget director in January of 2022, the city manager confirmed.

Durham city leadership is reacting to this devastating loss.

"Not only is this a great loss to our city, but a great loss to financial professionals. He was well respected in his professional circles well beyond Durham. We've been getting reaction from folks from all over the state and country.

He will be profoundly missed," said Mayor Pro-Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton.

"That smile is the first I see when I walk into the city council chambers for our meetings. It's always John. He sits at the end. To know I won't see that face anymore that smile is sad," said Durham city council member Leonardo Williams. "We lost a chunk of our city's staff in that one person and he was a superstar."

Allore is originally from Montreal, Canada. He was a celebrated author and podcaster.

In May of last year, he was on the Tamron Hall Show after writing the National Bestseller book, Wish You Were Here: A Murdered Girl, A Brother's Quest and the Hunt for a Canadian Serial Killer. He dedicated his life's mission to finding answers in the cold case around his sister's sudden disappearance and death in 1978.

NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) said Allore was riding on Bradshaw Quarry Road in Orange County when he was hit. The driver who struck Allore has been identified as 26-year-old Karen Maldonado. She's being charged with failure to reduce speed and misdemeanor death.

Durham City Manager Wanda Page released a statement on the passing of John Allore: "The City of Durham deeply mourns the death of our trusted colleague and friend John Allore. John was the ultimate professional, having excelled in several City positions since joining us in 1999. He most recently served as Budget Management Services Director, a position to which he was named in January 2022. Those who knew John knew him as a dedicated and passionate public servant, and a loving father of three daughters. We also appreciated John's many talents and interests, as he was a celebrated author and podcaster about true crime stories, and an avid biker. We are keeping John's family in our thoughts and prayers. He will be sorely missed."