DAVENPORT, Iowa — Brady Street in downtown Davenport has been a common place for accidents for many years now, according to UTH Riders Foundation Founder Antaeus Simmons.
This comes after a fatal motorcycle accident on the intersection of Fifth and Brady Streets on Wednesday, Aug. 7. First responders were called to the scene at around 9:40 p.m.
A 25-year-old man was killed in the crash as he was struck by an SUV driven by a 24-year-old woman. Their names have not yet been released by Davenport police.
UTH Riders Foundation promotes motorcycle safety in Illinois and Iowa. They also offer emotional and financial support for grieving families.
Simmons said the news of the crash reminded him of his past.
"Unfortunately that was tragic to me, as I have experienced loss," Simmons said. "Not only have I been hit myself, but I lost two friends in 2022."
The UTH Riders Foundation has offered help to the family of the victim in Wednesday's accident. Simmons said the father of the man killed in the crash is still processing the tragic news.
"As a grieving person who has lost two friends, I believe he just wanted answers," Simmons said.
Simmons said the crash is the 10th motorcycle death on Brady street in the last 20 years.
He said factors like the road's hill, vehicles parking on sides of the road, and people racing at night make riders harder to see.
"Even if they don't race and doing the regular speed limit," Simmons said, "there's so many pull out zones where people are not paying attention and distracted driving is very common these days."
Simmons said motorcycle riders should stay in the middle two lanes, and always wear a helmet.
He hopes the city puts in a traffic light to slow drivers down and help prevent future families from experiencing the whirlwind of grief.
"Someone lost their superhero last night, and they're not gonna be able to come home," Simmons said.