Fallen Riders Foundation Brazos Valley Urges Safety After Fatal Motorcycle Accident: ‘Be Seen and Heard’

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – After a Somerville man was killed while riding a motorcycle Thursday evening, a local organization is advocating for people to pay attention and stay safe on the road.

The Fallen Riders Foundation Brazos Valley is the only chapter in the state. The organization cares for motorcyclists and provides support when tragedy strikes.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 69-year-old James Jolly was killed in a three-vehicle crash on FM 60 when a westbound sedan made a U-turn around 8:20 p.m. Jolly’s motorcycle, also traveling west, crashed into the vehicle. Jolly was thrown from his bike and then struck by a pickup truck traveling east.

Chapter president Doug Tucker told KBTX he was in Hearne when he heard about the crash.

“The community here is pretty close-knit, so we post messages on Facebook and people come and go and say, ‘We’re good, we’re good, we’re good.’ It’s just a shock. We receive so many applications. We receive 304 applications per week not only from Brazos Valley, but also from the Houston area, Midland-Odessa and so on,” Tucker shared.

The foundation provides a variety of services to help the families of people killed in motorcycle accidents.

“If something like last night (Thursday evening, October 10) happens, we will help the family members and stuff. We help with funerals and things like that. We will ride in their honor if asked. We help with hospital bills, all kinds of utility bills, anything like that,” Tucker said.

It also promotes driver safety. According to Tucker, one of the main reasons motorcyclists are killed is because someone isn’t paying attention.

“One of the main concerns I see is people talking on their phones and I’m sorry, but if I’m riding my bike next to someone and they’re looking at their phone, I’ll slow down and point at their phone. “Tucker revealed.

According to Tucker, it is not only important for motorcyclists to wear protective gear such as helmets, jackets and long pants, but also to be seen, often a matter of life and death.

“During the day I always have my bright light on. I have my lights on all the time. Be seen and heard on your bike. It doesn’t mean being fast, but being seen and heard. They said loud whistles save lives. I believe it,” Tucker added.

Texas DPS says no one was injured in the crash and the investigation is ongoing.

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