Poker Pro Ryan Young Killed in Car Accident

Torrance, California poker pro Ryan Young (seen here in this photo appearing on PokerNews.com) has passed away following an automobile accident.  Additional details were not immediately known at press time. 

Ryan, who has won over a million dollars in live tournament play, was only 28 years old at the time of his passing July 30, 2012. 

His biggest win came at the 2007 World Series of Poker event 35 where he took home $615,955 and a WSOP bracelet.

Poker pro Daniel Negreanu was the first to bring the news. 

Daniel Negreanu ‏‪@RealKidPoker

A real loss for the poker world. Ryan Young was interesting, charismatic, a talker, aggressive, and exciting to watch. I liked him.

Daniel Negreanu ‏‪@RealKidPoker

Really sad news: Poker Pro Ryan Young passed away today. Kid was a character, played with him in the main event this year. RIP Ryan...

Young told PokerListings.com following his 2007 WSOP win that being rewarded a bracelet was just as important as the cash windfall. 

“I feel bad for a lot of these really good players who make final tables but haven't won a bracelet. I realize now how much it means. It means a lot. For me between the money and the bracelet, it's probably even right now, but f I had a lot of money it would definitely be all about the bracelet. That's how people are judged in these events these days. That's how we judge how good of a tournament player you are - by the number of bracelets.”

- Ace King, Gambling911.com