ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Three people who lost loved ones in motorcycle crashes last year are speaking out about motorcycle safety as the riding season begins, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
Dan Bookhart lost his son in a motorcycle crash in August 2025. He described the grief as feeling like “the living dead.” “You’re still living, you’re still faking to get through, but you’re so empty inside,” Bookhart said.
Glenn Sutton lost his son and nephew on April 13, 2025, on Lake Avenue when someone pulled in front of them at a yellow flashing light.
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“Losing a loved one’s one thing, but losing a child hits hard,” Sutton said. He and his son worked together 24 hours a day. Sutton’s nephew survived the initial crash but was induced into a coma at the hospital. He died eight days later, a day after his 20th birthday.
“My son’s body was ripped all apart,” Sutton said. “I’m thankful from what I’ve heard that he didn’t suffer at all.” Sutton sold his motorcycles after the crash. He said he has no desire to ride anymore.
Both men urged drivers to look multiple times before proceeding through intersections. “People say look twice, save a life. I say look three or four times to save a life,” Sutton said. “It never hurts to double check yourself.”
Bookhart compared hearing a motorcycle to hearing a police siren — drivers should locate where the sound is coming from before proceeding. “It just takes a moment just to figure out where they’re coming from, that’s all,” Bookhart said.
Two motorcycle crashes have already occurred this week, and it is only April 15. Bookhart said the news triggers him and makes him worry about the summer ahead. He said he wants to visit schools to talk about motorcycle safety and warn young riders about the dangers. “I actually wanted to go to schools and talk to schools and tell them how dangerous these motorcycles are, and just be cautious, just like you want the drivers to be cautious,” Bookhart said.
Sutton and Bookhart knew each other through their sons, who were friends in the motorcycle community. They said they are now part of a club nobody wants to join. “It brings strangers together because we’re all lost. We’re all missing that one piece, but it’s a club that nobody wants to be in,” Bookhart said.
Alexis May, lost her husband on Interstate 590 due to a tire blowout also shared her story. Her husband left behind four daughters ranging from five-years-old to 10.
“My daughters cry out for their dad and there’s absolutely nothing I can do to bring him back,” she said. She urged motorcyclists to avoid expressways if their bikes are not in proper condition.
“If your bike is not how you feel like it should be, don’t even take the risk,” she said.
Sutton, who works as a tow truck driver, said he sees distracted driving every day. He emphasized that everyone on the road has loved ones waiting for them at home. “If you kill someone because you’re not paying attention, their loved ones are losing somebody from coming home,” Sutton said.
Chris Pecchio, president of ABATE, said his region has already seen two motorcycle deaths and at least three serious crashes this year. He pointed to potholes and inattentive drivers as major threats to riders. “Being seen, the lack of drivers paying attention, distracted,” Pecchio said.
“I see it enough in my car and when I’m driving it’s even worse on a motorcycle because we are somewhat smaller and somewhat harder to see.”
Pecchio emphasized that safety requires effort from everyone on the road. “People nowadays are like zombies when they drive,” Pecchio said. “They don’t pay attention. They don’t look over their shoulders.” He expressed particular concern about drivers who rely too heavily on technology like lane-assist systems and backup cameras.
Motorcyclists can take steps to improve their visibility, including wearing brighter clothing and positioning themselves strategically in their lane.
However, Pecchio noted that even safety equipment like full-face helmets with Bluetooth can become a distraction if riders can’t hear surrounding traffic.
For new riders, Pecchio recommended taking a safety course and practicing in controlled environments like parking lots. He stressed the importance of riding within personal comfort levels rather than trying to keep up with more experienced riders. “Don’t ride over your head just because everybody else wants to do 80,” Pecchio said. “You’re comfortable at 40, you need to do 40.”
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Two motorcycle crashes in one week prompt safety plea from grieving Rochester families WHEC.com.
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