A memorial ride intended to celebrate the life of a 28-year-old Edmonton motorcyclist has been diverted after a collision between a driver and several riders.
Dozens of motorcyclists gathered at the Manning Town Center to honor Nicole Bates, who died in a single-vehicle crash on July 9.
“The community is really torn by this,” John Taylor said. “Nicole was well known in several aspects of the community. She was just a friend to everyone in the community.”
“Everybody likes to go out and have a lot of fun, you know. We’ve all done it. Turn the throttle, you know, to get that whiff, but there’s a time and a place. Unfortunately, sometimes we get a little carried away and accidents happen.”
Nicole Bates, 28, died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in July (supplied).
Before the race started on Sunday, a dangerous situation broke out between a car and some competitors.
Video captures the moment a white Ford Fusion reverses in the parking lot and a scream is heard.
“I saw a car pull up on the curb in front of Sport Check and a whole bunch of people ran up to the front of the car and I thought somebody got it,” Alicia Dreder said.
“It sounded like they were trying to stop him.”
Video footage then shows the car coming around the corner back towards the group and appears to slam into Dreder as she crosses the road.
“He got close and I pushed off his front fender to get out of his way,” Dreder told CTV News Edmonton.
The car then fled the scene.
In a statement to CTV News, police say there was an argument between some of the motorcyclists and the driver of the Ford Fusion. The driver has been identified as officers continue to investigate the incident.
Eventually, the memorial ride began to remember the biker who left a positive mark on the motorcycle community.
“(A trip like this) really helps the healing process,” Taylor said. “To have some closure for family and close friends.”
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