Motorcycle Riders Share Road Safety Tips After Fatal Back-To-Back Crashes In Tulsa

Two people died in separate motorcycle crashes within four hours of each other in Tulsa.

Now, motorcycle riders want to remind people about how dangerous it can be.

Long-time motorcyclists said both riders and drivers need to pay close attention.

Tulsa Police are still investigating the cause of these two crashes, but with two lives lost, motorcycle safety experts say both riders and drivers need to be on high alert.

Tulsa Police say the two deadly crashes were back-to-back.

The first one happened around 4 p.m. Thursday near Admiral and Pittsburg, and police said 18-year-old Jonathan Vasquez-Ruiz died after hitting an SUV pulling out of a driveway.

Just a few hours later, Steven Frost died after hitting an SUV, making a U-turn near Apache and Harvard.

James Chambers Clark is the president of the ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) Tulsa chapter, which works to advocate for motorcycle riders in the state legislature.

He's also a lifelong rider.

“When you ride a motorcycle, you have to be aware of everybody around you, not only everybody, but everything," Clark said. 

Clark said motorcycle riders have to be extremely defensive when they drive, and people in vehicles have to look two or three times since it’s easy to miss a bike.

He said reckless riding can be deadly and gives other safe riders a bad reputation.

"When you see somebody acting a fool, they think all bikers are that way," said Clark. 

Rider Dave Michaels said he loves the freedom and escape that comes with motorcycle riding, but people have to be on high alert.

“You’re not just affecting that rider. You’re affecting their family and friends and everyone around them," Michaels said. 

Clark has special brake lights to draw further attention to his bike.

He urges everyone to look twice and respect riders as they respect people driving.

"Hear us, see us, share the road with us.”

Family members of 18-year-old Jonathan Vasquez said he was kind and outgoing.

A friend of Steven Frost said he was a helper with a huge heart who made people laugh.

Officers said the other drivers involved are cooperating with the investigations.