The biker community grieves the death of two motorcyclists who died in two different crashes over the weekend.

“She was totally geared up,” said Yarielis Vazquez after her mother, 43-year-old Julie Maldonado, was hit by an inebriated drunk driver Friday night while she was riding on her motorcycle.

Friday, Maldonado and her boyfriend, Damien Espinoza, were heading home after a bike meeting with their friends. The family said Espinoza always followed behind her to make, beyond any doubt, Maldonado was safe. They halted at a traffic red light on Watson Street and Webb Lynn Street in Arlington, talking with each other on intercoms before the light turned green.

“As she was taking off, she was like, I love you. A moment and a half, not even a moment afterwards, she wasn’t here,” said Espinoza.

Arlington Police said an Evade Charger ran the traffic red light, hitting 43-year-old Maldonado, and drove away. The police captured and recognized the driver of that Charger as 22-year-old Kenneth Polk. He is charged with intoxication, manslaughter and collision. Police said before the crash, witnesses saw Polk hit a letterbox and proceeded to drive.

Maldonado was admitted to the hospital. That following day, Maldonado passed on in the hospital because her wounds were pretty severe.

On Sunday, the biker community came to the site where the crash happened to pay their regard to Maldonado, who they called their Puerto Rican princess.

Maldonado was a mother, grandma and companion. “I don’t know how one individual can have so numerous people’s hearts, but she does, and she still does,” said Vazquez. Maldonado’s family has a GoFundMe for anybody who would like to help the family with the memorial or funeral service arrangements.

Maldonado’s friends and family said another biker who was out with Maldonado prior to Friday also passed away in a different motorcycle accident. Fort Worth Police said on August 24, around 11 p.m., they reported a bike accident on East Circle 820 South Expressway. They said a motorcyclist was trying to pass a truck that was pulling a trailer when the motorcyclist smashed into a barrier.

The motorcyclist was Capriccio Williamson. They have, too, made a GoFundMe. Family individuals said Williamson had a “heart of gold and was always prepared to lend a hand.”

“99% of a biker’s equipment is dark, so look out for them. It doesn’t harm anyone to take an additional look,” said Vazquez. “A car versus a bike, a car is going to win each time, so just look.”

Members of the biker community said they will have a memorial ride in tribute to both Maldonado and Williamson to honour their lives.