Sacramento, California – A memorial was established on Monday to honor a motorcyclist who tragically lost his life in a weekend collision near Rick’s Dessert Diner in Midtown Sacramento.
According to Rick’s Dessert Diner employees, they witnessed the entire incident and quickly assisted in an attempt to save the motorcyclist.
“It was a shocking experience. He literally flew off his bike and hit the wall just a few feet from where I was sitting. The window shook. It felt like an explosion,” shared Scott Formosa, one of the employees at the time of the crash.
The fatal Midtown Sacramento crash occurred at the intersection of J and 24th Street on Sunday. Multiple witnesses reported that a U-Haul truck collided with the motorcyclist, who was later identified by family members as 55-year-old Jose Luis Silva.
Sacramento police blocked off the intersection for several hours on Sunday as they conducted their investigation. Emily Vandusen, an employee at Rick’s Dessert Diner, described her immediate reaction to the crash.
“I was trying not to panic. And the first thing I thought was to get towels to stop the bleeding so he didn’t bleed out. So, I ran and grabbed the towels and the gloves so we didn’t get blood all over ourselves and just started taking them out and handing them to people that were around,” Vandusen said.
A memorial in front of the restaurant has drawn multiple visitors throughout the day, with people leaving flowers, candles, and a cross bearing Silva’s name.
Family members at the memorial site remembered Silva as a devoted family man with a great sense of humor. They expressed their gratitude to the employees at Rick’s Dessert Diner for their efforts to help during the tragic event.
“They just kept thanking me for bringing out the towels. And thankful that someone was there to try to help,” Vandusen added.
The Sacramento Police Department is continuing its investigation into the cause of the crash.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. The actions of Rick’s Dessert Diner employees are a testament to the compassion and humanity that binds us all, reminding us of the importance of coming together to support one another in times of tragedy.
