A newly engaged couple was tragically killed in a horror motorcycle crash by an alleged drunk driver.
Nevada State Police identified Owen Hart, 22, his fiancé Athena Faye Taylor, 21, and their friend Jeremy Gebo, 44, as the victims of the Route 163 collision in Laughlin, Nevada, on March 23.
According to KVVU, the investigation revealed that a tractor-trailer driver named Claude Rafiki was traveling westbound on 163 in a westbound travel lane when the incident happened.
The driver of the Freightliner semi, who was accused of being drunk at the time, crossed an unprotected center median and veered onto the eastbound travel lane and into the path of the motorcycles that were driven by the couple and their friend.
A GoFundMe set up by friend Caleb Gwilliam states that Hart and Taylor, who were from St. George, Utah, had gotten engaged during Christmas last year.
"They were not just 'soon to be' partners in life, but also in their love for adventure, the outdoors, and the thrill of the open road and partners in spirit," he wrote. "On Christmas 2023, Owen asked Athena to spend forever with him. This was to be just the beginning of their love story, filled with dreams of a bright future."
"Owen and Athena were more than soulmates; they were best friends, seeking adventure and sharing their love for life with everyone around them," he continued. "To honor their memory and help their families during this difficult time, we are raising funds to help the families cover funeral and care expenses," they said.
The description states that Owen's mother Melissa, Athena's family, and "all those who knew and loved them are deeply grateful for any contributions, no matter how small. Let's come together to support these families as they navigate this heartbreaking loss".
As of this writing, $36,070 has been raised, exceeding the $35,000 target
The 29-year-old was booked into the Clark County Detention Center for suspicion of impaired driving and other related charges.
Police said the investigation is being conducted by the Nevada Highway Patrol Southern Command Multidisciplinary Investigation & Reconstruction Team. "This crash marks the Highway Patrol’s 18th fatal crash in Southern Command resulting in 22 fatalities for 2024," they added.
A Nevada judge set the driver's bail at $500,000 and ordered him to not drink or drive if he should post bond, per Daily Mail.
While the tragedy occurred on Saturday, his court proceedings were reportedly postponed as the courts were required to find a translator for Rafiki, because he only speaks Kinyarwanda, a central African dialect.
Our thoughts are with Owen, Athena, and Jeremy's family and friends at this time.
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