Ghost bike remembers local priest, serves as warning for drivers
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“A ghost bike represents not only the death of a bicycle rider and to honor them but also to promote bike safety in our community,” said Kathleen Matuszak the General Manger of St. Joseph Funeral Home & Cemetery.
On Sunday night, Matuszak’s team at the funeral home placed a white spray-painted ghost bike lined with flowers and pictures of Father Klimczyk near where he was struck and killed last Monday evening.
“We had other staff members painting the bike, making the signs, bringing the flowers so it truly was all of us coming together to do something more for him,” said Matuszak.
The ghost bike for Father Klimczyk sits in the yard of a neighbor who said he witnessed the devastating aftermath of the tragedy.
“I looked out and he was laying in my yard in my ditch. He took his last breath right there,” said Jeff Anderson. “I never thought I’d have something like that happen like that in my yard, maybe an accident or something but not somebody on a bike. He came down this road every day.”
Father Klimczyk worked and lived at the Holy Family Church not far from the crash scene.
Now they hope the haunting bike serves as a reminder for drivers to be extra cautious on the busy road.
“They do at least 60 miles an hour down through here if not faster. I hope it makes them think and slow down a little bit,” said Anderson.
“We just ask drivers to please please please be careful. Be aware. Be honoring of people who are riding motorcycles, bikes, walking to make sure everybody is safe. We don’t want to see this happen again,” added Matuszak.
Matuszak said she hopes to keep the ghost bike memorial up for as long as they can.
Shad Jeffery, 47, was arrested and is now facing felony charges for leaving the scene of a fatal accident.