Sturgis Fatality Caused by biker to biker
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Carrabelle, Fl
Sturgis Fatality Caused by biker to biker
Bad enough when a cage makes a left in front of you, but a biker caused this biker to die...
Police Officer Killed in Crash
Wife recalls killed Bradenton officer
REBECCA BLUE
Herald Staff Writer
BRADENTON - Lisa Mathews clearly remembers what attracted her to her husband, the late Sgt. Tyler Mathews of the Bradenton Police Department.
"He was very handsome, I thought," she said. "I loved the fact that he was a Christian and a strong godly character - and he was a good boy. He treated me with respect and was always a gentleman."
On Friday, four days after the couple's 19th anniversary and just one day after Tyler Mathews' 40th birthday, he was killed in a motorcycle accident in South Dakota.
Mathews was riding his 2006 Harley-Davidson on U.S. Route 16A near Rapid City, S.D., when a driver of another motorcycle made a left turn into Mathews' path.
Mathews was attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota with Lisa. It was her birthday gift to him.
Lisa was riding on the back of the motorcycle when the accident occurred. She suffered minor injuries and was taken to a South Dakota hospital, and returned home Monday with a broken bone in her elbow, along with scrapes and bruises to her face, knee and pelvic area.
She doesn't remember the accident at all. But what she does remember is wondering where her husband was.
"At first, they told me they didn't know," she said. "Then, they told me he didn't make it. I was devastated, I couldn't believe it. I just kept waiting for him to walk through the door. I thought they must be wrong. This must be a mistake."
The two met shortly before Lisa turned 14. Tyler was 15. Tyler's father had been called to be the pastor of the church Lisa attended with her family in Macon, Ga.
"We both liked each other from the beginning," Lisa said. "We had a crush on one another and quickly became friends."
The pair would spend time together during youth group outings, but she wasn't allowed to date until she turned 16.
Tyler's family moved before he could get that first date, but they kept in touch through phone calls, letters and trips to visit one another.
The two attended Lisa's senior prom together and not long after, the relationship blossomed, and they were engaged. They married Aug. 7, 1987, in Macon, and moved to Florida six months later.
Tyler began a career at the Bradenton Police Department more than 10 years ago as a dispatcher. After attending the police academy, he quickly climbed the ranks up to supervisor of the traffic unit.
Throughout their marriage, the Mathewses enjoyed cruises, trips to the mountains and motorcycling. As a family, they would spend their free time on the boat, tubing and wake boarding.
Tyler Mathews' family was his life. His children, three boys and one girl, range from 6 years old to 15.
The oldest, Ty, is taking his father's death the hardest.
"He feels like he has to be the father to his little brothers," Lisa said. "He feels like he needs to take on that responsibility."
Even though it's tough for the family right now, Lisa knows they'll make it through the tragedy.
"In spite of our loss, we're a Christian family and have our hope, faith and trust in Jesus and his word. We know God has a plan and cares about our future even though we may not know what's involved. But, the comfort by personal, police, church and our school family, we're going to get through this."
And she wants those who didn't know Tyler to know the following:
"He was real," she said. "What you saw was what you got. He was a loving man, honest and very caring. He cared about people and loved his family."
Rebecca Blue, criminal justice reporter, can be reached at rblue@HeraldToday.com or at 708-7919.
Police Officer Killed in Crash
Wife recalls killed Bradenton officer
REBECCA BLUE
Herald Staff Writer
BRADENTON - Lisa Mathews clearly remembers what attracted her to her husband, the late Sgt. Tyler Mathews of the Bradenton Police Department.
"He was very handsome, I thought," she said. "I loved the fact that he was a Christian and a strong godly character - and he was a good boy. He treated me with respect and was always a gentleman."
On Friday, four days after the couple's 19th anniversary and just one day after Tyler Mathews' 40th birthday, he was killed in a motorcycle accident in South Dakota.
Mathews was riding his 2006 Harley-Davidson on U.S. Route 16A near Rapid City, S.D., when a driver of another motorcycle made a left turn into Mathews' path.
Mathews was attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota with Lisa. It was her birthday gift to him.
Lisa was riding on the back of the motorcycle when the accident occurred. She suffered minor injuries and was taken to a South Dakota hospital, and returned home Monday with a broken bone in her elbow, along with scrapes and bruises to her face, knee and pelvic area.
She doesn't remember the accident at all. But what she does remember is wondering where her husband was.
"At first, they told me they didn't know," she said. "Then, they told me he didn't make it. I was devastated, I couldn't believe it. I just kept waiting for him to walk through the door. I thought they must be wrong. This must be a mistake."
The two met shortly before Lisa turned 14. Tyler was 15. Tyler's father had been called to be the pastor of the church Lisa attended with her family in Macon, Ga.
"We both liked each other from the beginning," Lisa said. "We had a crush on one another and quickly became friends."
The pair would spend time together during youth group outings, but she wasn't allowed to date until she turned 16.
Tyler's family moved before he could get that first date, but they kept in touch through phone calls, letters and trips to visit one another.
The two attended Lisa's senior prom together and not long after, the relationship blossomed, and they were engaged. They married Aug. 7, 1987, in Macon, and moved to Florida six months later.
Tyler began a career at the Bradenton Police Department more than 10 years ago as a dispatcher. After attending the police academy, he quickly climbed the ranks up to supervisor of the traffic unit.
Throughout their marriage, the Mathewses enjoyed cruises, trips to the mountains and motorcycling. As a family, they would spend their free time on the boat, tubing and wake boarding.
Tyler Mathews' family was his life. His children, three boys and one girl, range from 6 years old to 15.
The oldest, Ty, is taking his father's death the hardest.
"He feels like he has to be the father to his little brothers," Lisa said. "He feels like he needs to take on that responsibility."
Even though it's tough for the family right now, Lisa knows they'll make it through the tragedy.
"In spite of our loss, we're a Christian family and have our hope, faith and trust in Jesus and his word. We know God has a plan and cares about our future even though we may not know what's involved. But, the comfort by personal, police, church and our school family, we're going to get through this."
And she wants those who didn't know Tyler to know the following:
"He was real," she said. "What you saw was what you got. He was a loving man, honest and very caring. He cared about people and loved his family."
Rebecca Blue, criminal justice reporter, can be reached at rblue@HeraldToday.com or at 708-7919.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,471
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From: Heart of Missouri
RE: Sturgis Fatality Caused by biker to biker
My sincerest condolences to the family. This being my first year to Sturgis, I can say I seen first hand the dangers. Prayers being said for all his family and friends.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Boca Raton, Florida
RE: Sturgis Fatality Caused by biker to biker
Very Sad, Indeed...
I just got the message through PGR, but this posting had much more information... Thank You!
Jim aka kiltiemon
I just got the message through PGR, but this posting had much more information... Thank You!
Jim aka kiltiemon
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