More than a half dozen motorcyclists rode the streets of west Lincoln on Monday evening in honor of a 59-year-old Lincoln man killed in a crash earlier in the day.
William "Bill" McArtor, 59, was killed in the crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV at Northwest 48th and West O streets, according to Lincoln police.
"It's not fair that he's gone," said Sharon Powell, one of McArtor's nieces who turned out for the ride.
At 12:45 a.m., a Jeep driven by Reymundo Pereda of Illinois was eastbound on West O Street in the left turn lane preparing to turn north onto Northwest 48th. The Jeep turned in front of McArtor's Harley-Davidson, which hit the SUV, Lincoln Police Officer Angela Sands said.Â
William McArtor's ex-wife, Carla McArtor, was riding on the bike and critically injured in the crash. She was taken to a hospital but is expected to recover, Sands said.
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Both McArtors were wearing helmets, according to the accident report.
The crash is still under investigation and a report says citations are pending the outcome.
McArtor had a son, daughter and three grandchildren.
He was a loving, fun and energetic grandpa, said his daughter, Janina Chapin. His family will "greatly miss his fun, laughter and the kid at heart that he was," she said.
McArtor was a journey lineman for Lincoln Electric System.
"He was the hardest-working man, admired by all who knew him. He was the kind of man that would have given you the shirt off his back," Chapin said.
McArtor's death marks the this year, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
There were 11 such fatalities at this point last year.
Powell said she feels like something needs to happen to stop this trend.
She comes from a family of motorcyclists and any biker losing his or her life on the road hurts.
Powell said she found some comfort that other bikers came out on short notice Monday evening to ride for McArtor.
Shortly after her uncle got his 2006 Harley, he promised her a ride, she said.
Life got in the way, she said, and the two never got to take that ride together.
"But when I see him in Heaven, I know he'll give me that ride," Powell said.