REMEMBERING DONNY: Deadly Motorcycle Crash
Des Moines police are investigating a deadly motorcycle crash. It happened around 5:30 AM on the city’s east side. 28-year-old Donald Shiffer Jr. died when he and a garbage truck collided.
Clem Vestal got the call this morning about a motorcycle crash at East 25th Court and University.
“As soon as I got it, I got in my car and came up to check it out,” he says.
When Vestal arrived, he saw a bike on its side and a dent in the side of a garbage truck. The motorcycle belonged to his friend, Donny.
“We do a lot of rides and he`s there all the time. He`s one of the best blockers I`ve ever met,” says Vestal.
As a blocker, it’s Shiffer’s job to protect other bikers during their rides. Vestal says that`s just part of his personality.
“He just wanted to make sure everybody made it safe and he did a good job of doing it,” he says.
This morning, Shiffer was on his way to work, just a few blocks from his house.
“There was a Waste Management garbage truck traveling east on University Avenue and turned left or northbound and was struck by a motorcyclist traveling westbound on University,” says Des Moines Police Sgt. Scott Raudabaugh.
Police say it`s early in their investigation, but it appears that the truck driver didn`t see Shiffer. The driver could face charges for the crash.
Shiffer’s family says there`s a lot more to him than just motorcycles. He was a family man- a devoted son and brother, husband and father of two who coached his daughter`s softball team. They are planning a candlelight vigil at nine tonight in the Auto Outlet parking lot on University.
