Longview, TX : Man killed in motorcycle wreck during Longview ride on Saturday morning, October 22, 2016

A motorcycle driver has died of injuries sustained in a Saturday morning wreck during a group biker ride as part of a weekend festival in Longview.

Charles Flowers, 59, of Longview was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center after the wreck, where he was later pronounced dead due to his injuries, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Jean Dark.

Flowers' passenger was identified as Bridget Kennedy, 55, of Longview. She was also taken to Good Shepherd after the wreck and was in critical condition.

Preliminary information indicated the man was catching up with one of several groups of 50 on a ride as part of Saturday’s Riders, Rockers & Ribs biker rally.

The group the couple was trying to reach had slowed on northbound U.S. 259 to turn east onto FM 449, Dark said.

“And when he came over the crest of the hill, he saw them all braking,” Dark said. “And he had to go ahead and lay his bike down.”

The man and woman were taken to an area hospital, according to information from the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department following the 9:07 a.m. Saturday report of the wreck.

Dark said the woman passenger had been wearing a helmet. The driver was not wearing a helmet, she said.

Source :
Officials ID man killed in motorcycle wreck during Longview ride