Roughly 75 motorcyclists went for a cruise Sunday to honor their fallen riders and spread awareness about the dangers they can face on the road.
In a span of two days, Zach Gertron, Matt Dorn and Bob Draeger were all killed in separate accidents in the Kansas City area.
“Anybody that’s on a bike is somebody’s whole world,” said Ryan Mapes, who taught Gertron how to ride. “Just look twice and save a life.”
The group of motorcyclists started the 2-hour ride at Rockstar Burgers before heading to the site of Gertron’s deadly crash near Vivion and Antioch Road. The ride ended at D W Newcomer’s Sons Funeral Home in Gladstone where visitations for Zach Gertron were underway.
“The family is inside, they said ‘let it be heard’” said ride organizer Brandy Dodson, referring to the Gertron family’s desire for the bike group to rev their engines in support of Zach.
Some of the motorcyclists hoped Sunday’s ride would serve as a reminder to drivers to be mindful of motorcycles while on the road.
“We can roll up beside people and they’re putting on their makeup, reading newspapers, eating cereal. We see it all, texting and driving,” said Brandy Dodson.
“Just look out for us. We all got kids. We want to go home to them,” adds her husband Chad Dodson. “We have parents, we have a family. We’re just like anybody else. Just look out for us. Let us make it home at the end of the day.”
-----
Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
