David Murray, brother of Michael Murray, pauses by a Ghost Bike memorial during a vigil at at Las Vegas Cyclery Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Michael Murray was one of five cyclists that were killed in an accident on U.S. 95 near Searchlight on Thursday.
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 | 9:07 p.m.
Each of the five memorial wreaths was a white bicycle tire.
They were placed behind sizable letters that spelled out “TEAM G,” an acronym honoring the cyclists killed Thursday in a devastating crash on a Southern Nevada highway.
They represent Thomas Chamberlain Trauger, 57; Erin Michelle Ray, 39; Aksoy Ahmet, 48; Michael Todd Murray, 57, and Gerrard Suarez Nieva, 41.
During a vigil Saturday afternoon outside Las Vegas Cyclery, a teary-eyed David Murray, Michael’s brother, approached the “M” and laid his head on it, caressing the wheel, and pointing to the sky as he sobbed.
“I was the oldest brother, but he’s the leader,” Murray told about 200 mourners as he struggled to control his emotions. “Be careful out there, be kind to everybody. There’s too much hate in the world. We need to stop, please just love each other.”
Love was already abundant as more speakers gave remarks memorializing the victims, while also bringing awareness to the dangers on the road for bicyclists.
A southbound box truck on U.S. 95, near Searchlight, encountered about 18 riders and a car accompanying them on the right lane of a two-lane desert highway when it unexpectedly crashed into the group Thursday morning on mile marker 34, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Seven cyclists behind the safety car were struck before the truck rammed the car, which then hit more riders in front of it, the patrol said. The crash, for which a possible motive hasn’t been disclosed, injured two other cyclists — one of whom was critically injured — and the car’s driver, the patrol said.
Impairment wasn’t suspected, officials said Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a separate probe into the crash.
The group was on the 15th iteration of a yearly trip on the “Nipton Loop,” which goes from Henderson to Searchlight to Nipton, Calif., and back home on Interstate 15.
Crash survivor Michael Anderson, a freshly retired Metro Police officer, said Thursday that as the wind picked up, seven riders took shelter behind the safety car, a hatchback Subaru.
Anderson organized a GoFundMe campaign that had raised nearly $65,000 in about 24 hours.
Breakaway Cycling, Inc., which had a booth at the vigil, is trying to raise $1 million for the families of the victims.
The remembrance event took place next to a “Ghost Bikes” memorial, a reminder that cyclist deaths have occurred before, and will likely happen again if motorists don’t learn to be more cautious.
Ghost Bikes is an international movement that includes a Las Vegas chapter. It manufactures white bikes every time a cyclist loses their life on the road. Its leaders and other advocates on Saturday spoke about not wanting to have to memorialize more victims.
Roses adorn a Ghost Bike memorial during a vigil at at Las Vegas Cyclery Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Five cyclists were killed in an accident on U.S. 95 near Searchlight on Thursday.
The display of white bikes outside Vegas Cyclery, a popular meet-up for the cycling community, was decorated with flower bouquets and photos of the victims. Post-It notes had messages to the victims.
“I don’t think there are any words that can express my sorrow to their families and their loved ones,” said Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., a cyclist herself who attended the memorial. “I will do whatever I can to help make our roads safer.”
Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, also a cyclist and advocate for that community, echoed the sentiment, noting that he will continue to educate the community on the issue.
The victims are remembered for being dedicated and seasoned athletes, and who were easy to make friends with.
Take Trauger, who was memorialized in aching eulogies by his wife, children and close friends. He was an established triathlete who picked up the sport later in life, but who nonetheless had partaken in professional events, winning numerous races.
Ritch Viola, founder of their cycling team, remembers a close friend whose age didn’t reflect his ability. He would mentor and inspire the younger competitors. Above all, Trauger’s positive and jubilant personality was infectious.
“He was admired by all of our guys because he’d reached a level of personal happiness that many of us only dream of,” Viola said.
Donna Trauger, Tom’s wife, said the family instantly made new friends in the bicycle community when moving to Las Vegas five years ago.
“If you leave here today with anything, please remember that those cyclists who are out there riding, sharing the road with you are someone’s husband, son, sister, loved one,” she said through tears.
“Please think about this as you speed by them in your car; don’t text while driving or take your eyes off the road, even for a second,” or drive impaired, she added.
“Our loved ones are gone, we can’t bring them back. Please don’t let this happen on your watch,” she concluded. “Trust me, you never want to look into the eyes of someone like me and see the deep pain that will live in our hearts forever.”
