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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | It is with great sadness that I report that two of my closest friends Bruce Bricker and Steve Claterbaugh and Bruce’s wife Shannon and Steve’s girlfriend Kathy Smith were killed about 2:45 PM CDT on Sunday 7-3-11 north of Canton, TX on Hwy 19 on their Victory Vision’s. A guy in a Mustang pulled in front of them and hit them head on. He is in jail on a $2 million bail and has been charged with four counts of criminally negligent homicide. Bruce and Steve and I rode together almost weekly. We all rode together Saturday the day before the accident and had just planned four day weekend trip to Eureka Springs, AR later this month and a weeklong trip in September to the NE area. One of Bruce’s first trips was with me to Helen, GA for the 2008 SE Victory Rally. We logged about 35,000 miles together over the last three years. Steve also road with us on a lot of those miles and I did a few trips with just Steve. There was nothing they enjoyed more than riding their bikes. Bruce had just moved up to a new 2011 Vision from his 2008 and couldn’t get enough time in the saddle with it. I am so thankful for their friendship and all the great riding we have done together over the last three years. Every time we hit the road we got to see a part of heaven. I am blessed for the time we had together and sadder than words can express that you’re both gone. I will always miss you both. When you see me riding just swoop down and soar along side of me. Here are some links to the news stories on their accident. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Familes-Remember-Four-Killed-In-Van-Zandt-County-Crash-124982534.html http://www.kltv.com/story/15020450/collision-between-car-and-motorcycles-kills-4 http://tylerpaper.com/article/20110704/NEWS01/110709890 You can tell by the photos that this bridge in addition to the two lanes had a full emergence lane on both sides of the two lanes and Bruce and Steve moved clear to the far right along the cement wall of the bridge and the driver in the Mustang came all the way to his left past Bruce’s and Steve’s lane and hit them head on in their emergence lane. There was nothing more they could have done to avoid this irresponsible driver. Drive careful and I hope to see you all on the road somewhere.
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
The Great Northwet | So sorry for your loss Craig...and the loss for the families. Thoughts and prayers from the northwest for you and the familes. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 48
East Tennessee | My condolences for the loss of your friends.. No matter how careful we are out there, there's always a few morons that aren't paying attention. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | WOW I just don't have any words for this. It is beyond sad. My heart goes out to you and there family's. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Craig - thanks for sharing more on this, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friends. There will be many never answerable questions in this tragedy. I have a my prayer that this will get enough national attention so that people will begin to pay attention when they drive.
I hope to ride with you one day friend. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Craig,
I'm deeply sorry for your loss as well as your friends' families.
Words fail in light of such a senseless tragedy. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 144
| I am sadden and enraged by this. The guy was probly texting. He needs to be put away for a long time and stripped of all driving priv's for the rest of his life. The poor family's and kid's of the couples must be completely crushed. My heart goes out to them and if there is anything I can do to help from here let me know. My bikes pre-owner wrecked, his then mine now, bike at 70mph and hit a guard rail to boot and is still around to talk about it. I feel that this bike is a survivor and is lucky for me. Dain |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | Sorry to hear about the losses - it's a shame. My thoughts go out to families and friends this effects.
We should all live each day as if it is our last. Tell your friends and family how much you care for them. We never know when our time is coming.
Edited by adirondacks 2011-07-05 3:45 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | I only live 30 minutes from the accident site. My prayers go out for all the victims of this terrible tragedy. When we heard the news my wife said she didn't want me to ride my Vision for a few days as she was scared of Fourth of July Weekend drunks on the road. That night I just had to ride so I rode about 30 minutes in the country thinking of those poor couples the whole time. It's very sobering when you realize how dangerous our hobby can be. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Nightmare for all involved. Peace to the families and friends. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | This is just so sad. There are never the right words, there is just always so many questions. Please keep us informed on the other driver. 
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | Thoughts and prayers for all involved in this tragic, senseless incident. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 42
| Please accept my sincere condolences, Craig. What a terrible, terrible incident.
Dave |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | My condolences for your loss. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Lennox, SD | My condolences. . . .I am so very sorry for your loss |
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New user
Posts: 2
| I posted this message earlier and it disappeared. I am Bruce's sister and I want to thank all of you for your words of support and caring. It keeps Bruce alive in our memories and our hearts. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Craig,
Thank you for the post. What a tragedy. I read this post just before I left work...and it took my breath away. I read the accounts and watched the coverage online.
I had a lot to think about as I prepared to mount up for the ride to the house.
My wife used to own a store that sold "Country" and hand crafted merchandise. So, two or three times a year we would drive to Canton for First Monday sales. She would meet her vendors and look for the special deals on the prairie. We would go up on Wednesday night to the hotel and get up before the sun to find the best deals. If I got lucky I would find a few things for myself.
We would stay West of Athens and drive to Canton every morning. Sunday afternoon we would head home. Monday I would go to work to rest. I remember what that road looked like before the rebuild a few years back. After all that work widening and providing hard shoulders I felt safer on my pre-dawn drive.
Never could I imagine that this could happen....not in daylight....not ever.
I can only pray for the friends and families involved. At least the police got the charges right.
I hope the prosecutors, police and judges have their facts in order so that the Jury can make the best decision on behalf of justice. I will even pray for the defense attorney so he can appeal the verdict and lose because the case against the man is solid and he had the best representation for his defense.
God bless all the riders tonight...
Edited by radioteacher 2011-07-05 10:22 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States |
8-ball
Posted 2011-07-05 10:16 PM (#90281 - in reply to #90182)
Subject: Re: Vision riders passed away
Location: Neillsville, WI. Home of the "High Grounds" Not normally at a loss for words as everyone knows... my humble thought's and prayers go out to all the family and friends. Everything in this life happens for a reason and some things we do not know at this time. May our lost Brothers and Sisters continue to ride upon life's trail up above once again, with all the Brothers and Sisters that have gone home before us.
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all ride safe and free....
8-ball/Wildman
PS: The tough part about being a "biker" is not being tough, its about being full of human compassion and support for our fallen Brothers and Sisters ....
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Kansas City, MO | God bless them all |
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Cruiser
Posts: 164
Quad Cities, IL | Prayers have been sent up for all involved, especially the families suffering from such a tragic loss. May God provide comfort through this most difficult time to all those impacted by it. God Bless to all...ride safe. -Kevin |
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | Horrible..just horrible. So sorry for your loss, Craig. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 109
Sturbridge, Ma | Thoughts and prayers to all family, friends and to the ones that personally new them from here! God bless! I feel grateful for life, just after my accident this past Easter... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 126
Meadow, Texas | My prayers and thoughts go out to all family. Our "family" lost friends this past weekend so keep their memories alive as we ride. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| Craig, my condolences on the loss of your friends and riding partners, may the memories of good times spent together help their families and you in this time of grief. God Bless! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| My heart goes out to you and to your lost friends. Things like this are so senseless and could so be prevented.
I live within 75 miles of this and have been to those flea markets. People simply don't pay attention for whatever reason. They're busy talking about what they bought or sold or whatever. I've had several people wander into my lane a few times,scared the hell out of me. |
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Lost four close friends on their Vision's in head-on crash
