Former Napster exec killed on bike after being struck by sheriff’s patrol car

CALABASAS, Calif. – A former chief operating officer of the online file-sharing service Napster was killed when he was struck by a sheriff’s patrol car while riding a bicycle, authorities said Monday.

Lawyer and music industry veteran Milton Everett Olin Jr. of Woodland Hills died Sunday, according to coroner’s Lt. Joe Bale.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Olin and the patrol car were travelling in the same direction on Mulholland Highway in suburban Calabasas when the collision occurred.

The cyclist was in the bicycle lane when he was struck, KCAL-TV reported, citing investigators. He landed on the windshield, shattering the glass before rolling off the cruiser to the street.

The deputy, who was not named, was taken to a hospital for treatment of cuts and bruises.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

In addition to once serving as a top executive for Napster, the 65-year-old Olin was a prominent entertainment attorney for Altschul & Olin LLP, which he co-founded, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Prior to Napster, Olin worked for A&M Records as vice-president of business development and was responsible for signing artists and acquiring music rights.

Napster was a pioneer in online music sharing, leading to lawsuits by Metallica and other acts in 2000. The suits eventually forced a settlement that required Napster to evolve into a pay-for-use service that became something of a model for today’s streaming companies.