GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The family of a man killed in a motorcycle crash in Kent County is speaking out and hoping to inspire others to drive safely.
Shawn Wooten’s family said he was the driver of a motorcycle that collided with another car at the intersection of Four Mile Road and Alpine Road on Aug. 12.
Wooten was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the vehicle was injured.
“Nobody wants to experience this. This is my mother right here. You know, it's a bad, it's terrible that she has to experience this,” said Davonte Langston, Wooten's brother.
Langston said Wooten was a jack of all trades who loved to have fun.
"He was a clown as a kid. As a kid, he always had some crazy dance. He loved to draw anything with wheels, he was attracted to it. Anything with a motor on it, he was tinkering with it,” said Langston.
He said Wooten was a family man who loved everyone, blood-related or not.
"Did everything for his family and the family that he created, not just blood he you know, he had lots of friends that he impacted throughout life,” said Langston.
Which is why when it comes to this tragedy, Langston and his family said it’s important to not only tell Shawn’s story, but also talk about the importance of driving safely.
They said Wooten was driving fast and lost control and if he was here, they said he would want others to learn from his mistake.
MSP said the motorcyclist collided with another car at Alpine and 4 Mile after speeding away from an earlier interaction with police.
That earlier interaction took place in a parking lot when a local police officer spoke to Wooten about the motorcycle being unregistered, according to MSP. He then sped away from the scene, according to investigators, before the crash took place.
"If there's anything we can do to prevent that or remind someone, you know, an extra thought, slow down. Your life is more important,” said Langston and his family.
"We all have a bad day. Sometimes, unfortunately, some people's bad days or mistakes are life-lasting, not just on yourself, but on the ones around you,” said Krista Cornell, Wooten’s best friend’s wife.
They also said they're praying for the other car involved because that's what Wooten would do.
The family has set up a gofundme to help pay for burial costs.