Three motorcyclists, killed by a drunk driver near Ratliff City in 2007, will be the first Oklahoma “riders” recognized by the Patriot Guard Riders’ new “Red Crosses” campaign.
Red crosses will be placed on State Highway 7 west of Ratliff City at 11 a.m. Saturday. The trio of crosses will mark the place where Betty Jean Day, 57, Terral, and Ryan residents, Roger Gunter, 59, and his wife, Lisa, 57, lost their lives Aug. 10, 2007.
The three victims died when Shannon Lowe drove into the path of five motorcycles crashing into four of the five vehicles. All three victims died at the scene. Day’s husband, Frank, was also critically injured in the head on crash, but survived his injuries.
All law enforcement officers, first responders and medics who assisted at the scene of the fatality crash are invited to attend the event. Members of the victims’ families will place the crosses. The five surviving members of the group the victims were riding with will be in attendance. A member of the Christian Motorcycle Association will also speak.
A Patriot Riders spokesperson said the group hopes the Red Crosses campaign will save lives.
Lowe, who was also injured in the crash, recovered and was subsequently charged with three counts of second-degree murder and causing great bodily harm while driving under the influence in Carter County District Court. Evidence in the case indicated he was under the influence when he crossed the center line and smashed into the group of motorcyclists. He pleaded guilty to all charges on April 22 and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences.
He currently remains at the Carter County Detention Center awaiting transfer to a state prison.
Marsha Miller 221-6529
marsha.miller@ardmoreite.com
