We had about 40 people who came out Sunday.  The Chavez family impressed me with how much they have supported each other after Chris' death.  They were very happy about the ghost bike, with the hope that the message of driving more safely would reach some drivers because of it.



On Sat, Mar 7, 2015 at 9:20 PM, Nathan Masek <masekclan@me.com> wrote:
I ride the Chris Chavez loop quite often, I always think of him on this great route.


On Mar 7, 2015, at 6:15 PM, Jennifer Buntz via Bike-racers <bike-racers@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:

Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 11:00 am Duke City Wheelmen together with members of the Chavez family will honor fallen cyclists Christopher Jerome Chavez. 

A ghost bike will be placed on the north side of Rio Bravo Blvd. SW where Chavez was struck and killed.  The site is just east of Poco Loco Drive SW, before you reach the Rio Grande.

Chavez, 37, was a 14 year veteran of the Albuquerque Fire Department was struck from behind as he rode on the shoulder of Rio Bravo June 30, 1999.   Although the driver fled the scene, he was later arrested through an anonymous tip authorities received not long after the crash occurred.

The driver, 24-year-old Juan Calles of Valencia County, later pled guilty to three charges stemming from the incident.  The charges were one count each of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or great bodily injury, tampering with evidence and having no proof of insurance.  He was sentenced to seven years and nine months, the maximum allowed for the combined charges.

The pain may subside, but the loss becomes an indelible feature in the lives of family and friends.  Join us tomorrow to remember.

Jennifer Buntz
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