Motorcycle Community Mourns Couple Killed By Intoxicated, Texting Driver
FRANKTOWN, Colo. (CBS4) - Just like the meaning of the name of the tavern where the Douglas County Hogs meet every week, Brian and Jacquie Lehner were "friends to everyone."
Brian, 58, and his 56-year-old wife, Jacquie, were killed Saturday afternoon while riding on Highway 83 in Franktown. They were on their way to meet fellow bikers at Takoda Tavern.
"They're the best friends anybody could ever have," said Bob Nobles, owner of Takoda Tavern in Parker and friend of the couple. "Brian and Jacquie were two of the greatest people this world's ever known."
"It was a tragic situation," another friend and biker, Laura Chapman, said Monday.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Athina Munoz, 27, swerved into oncoming traffic while reading a text message, according to court documents.
She admitted to investigators she smoked marijuana that morning and had been drinking wine with a friend before the crash. Court documents also reveal there were empty alcohol bottles, a glass marijuana pipe and raw marijuana in the back of Munoz's car.
It's not the first time Munoz has been involved in a deadly scene.
According to Aurora Police, Munoz killed two men during a home invasion in 2011. She was cleared by the Make My Day Law, but was arrested for child abuse and negligence charges for the incident.
Now Munoz is facing multiple charges, including felony vehicular homicide, DUI, and third degree assault for the deaths of the Lehners, as well as causing injury to another motorcyclist, Joseph Bartoletti.
In honor of Brian and Jacquie, the Takoda Tavern held a gathering Sunday evening where more than 100 bikers, friends and strangers remembered their friends.
"Giant men were crying, women were crying," Chapman said. "We all bared our souls. We let the tears flow and everybody was united."
A small memorial now sits on the edge of Highway 83 where Brian and Jacquie's final ride came to an end. Their friends say, though, their memory will continue to ride on.
"They'll live forever in our hearts," Nobles said.
A memorial service for Brian and Jacquie Lehner is scheduled for Friday morning. The Douglas County Hogs said they will do whatever they can to help the family, including a multiple motorcycle escort to the service.
Kelly Werthmann joined the CBS4 team in 2012 as the morning reporter, covering national stories like the Aurora Theater Shooting and devastating Colorado wildfires. She now reports for CBS4 News at 10 and is always open to story ideas. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @KellyCBS4.
