Karry Herrera, 45, was struck and killed by a U-Haul driver less than half a mile from her West Phoenix home.
PHOENIX — Three months after Karry Herrera started riding a motorcycle, she was punched and killed.
The 45-year-old mother of three and grandmother of eight loved adventure, going on trips and trying new things.
“As soon as she walked into the room, everyone smiled,” Destiny Frier said of her mom. “She was the life of the party.”
Motorcycling was a new hobby that Herrera and her fiancé, Jordan Simpson, started doing together.
“We just rode every day basically,” Simpson said.
On Wednesday, Herrera had to go to an ATM less than a mile from her home in West Phoenix, so she rode her bike, Simpson said.
Since her bike was broken, Simpson said she rode it alone.
“I spoke to her when she was at the bank,” he said. “I spoke to him on the phone and told him I love him.”
When the three-minute drive took longer than usual, Simpson began tracking the location of his fiancée’s phone. It rang half a mile away on 87th Avenue and Indian School Road.
“I see the ambulance go by, and I jumped the wall here and ran over here,” he said. “The only thing that could go through my mind is that she is strong, brave and will pull through.”
Herrera was struck by a U-Haul truck attempting to turn left to head north on 87th Avenue as she drove west on Indian School Road, Phoenix police said.
Detectives said the U-Haul driver remained at the scene.
“Her bike blew up, she was on fire…but they pulled her out before she could burn completely,” Herrera’s daughter said. “They tried to do CPR, but they couldn’t get her back.”
Herrera was taken to an area hospital, but doctors were unable to save her life.
“My mom was a very smart, loving, strong person,” Jesse Herrera said. “I will never forget his laughter or his smile. Things will never be the same without her.
Herrera’s children said their father also died in a motorcycle accident four years ago this month.
“My mother was an amazing person; her smile always lit up the room, she was always happy,” Raeanne Livingston said. “We will miss her very much and we love her.”
Herrera’s bike was destroyed in the crash. Simpson said he was “never going to ride one again”.
As the family begins their healing process, the children of Herrera urge drivers to be more careful of motorcyclists.
“Please be careful and give in,” Freier said. “I just want people to be careful because there are bikes out there that people can’t see.”
The family set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses.
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