Motorcyclist killed in crash was a fire captain

Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 | 4:05 p.m.

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Motorcyclist dead after collision (9-26-09)

A 46-year-old man who died after a collision Friday night near Centennial Road and Aliante Parkway in North Las Vegas was a fire captain at the Nevada Test Site.

The Clark County Coroner's Office today identified the motorcyclist as John Gerard of Las Vegas. He died of injuries as a result of a crushed chest, a spokeswoman for the coroner's office said.

The crash happened about 8:45 p.m. Friday as Gerard rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on Aliante Parkway, North Las Vegas Police said.

As Gerard rode the motorcycle through the intersection at Centennial it was struck by a 2001 Chevrolet Impala driven by a 65-year-old Las Vegas woman traveling west, police said.

Gerard was taken to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses told police the driver of the Impala failed to stop at a red light. Gerard didn't appear to be at fault, officials said.

North Las Vegas Police are waiting for toxicology reports and other tests to be completed before considering action against the Chevrolet's driver. The driver is not under arrest.

Gerard began working as a firefighter in December 1997 at Station No. 1 at Mercury, the base camp of the Nevada Test Site where the United States conducted above- and below-ground nuclear weapons experiments from 1951 to 1992. The Test Site is 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

He rose through the ranks, reaching the position of engine captain in 2003, said Gerard's supervisor, Chief Charles Fauerbach.

"He was technically excellent. He was one of the best firefighters I've ever known," Fauerbach said Monday.

In summer, Gerard also worked with the Bureau of Land Management fighting wildfires. Although the Nevada Test Site doesn't have many building fires, wildfires caused by lightning are common on the site, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island, Fauerbach said.

"The entire department has lost a brother," Fauerbach said, adding that Gerard will receive full fire department honors during funeral services. Services hadn't been scheduled on Monday.

Before joining the Test Site's fire and rescue department, Gerard served in the U.S. Air Force for 15 years, including at Nellis Air Force Base.

"He was one of the safest (motorcycle) riders I've ever seen," Fauerbach said. "We're going to miss him."

Dante Pistone, a spokesman for National Security Technologies, which manages the Test Site, said "John was a valued employee and he will be sorely missed. We send our sympathies to his family and friends."

Gerard is survived by a 5-year-old son.

Discussion: 16 comments so far…

By VegasShopper

9/28/09 at 6:45 p.m.

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Wait a minute. The driver of the auto broke a law resulting in a death. Isn't that at least manslaughter? It's got to be more than "reckless driving".
By tearl

9/28/09 at 9:38 p.m.

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Again my heart goes out to his family! I am sorry for your loss and only wish there was something I could of done that night to help him in some way. So many people ran to help him. I will never forget him or that night. My prayers to his family and friends.

My Deepest Sympathy
By devildancer51

9/28/09 at 9:42 p.m.

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This is a poorly written article, did you proof read this article before it went to print? I know that Captain Gerard deserved better then this. RIP Captain Gerard, you were a better man then this article portrays. Rest in peace my brother, you will never be forgotten.
By Greene64

9/28/09 at 10:46 p.m.

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My sympathies to his family!
As one of the people who heard the crash I ran to help him in any way I could even as his cycle was sliding to a stop. I want to thank the female Air Force Staff Sergeant who was all ready at his side when I got to him. We talked to him to let him know he wasn't alone, checked his pulse and breathing and wasn't moved until the paramedics arrived and loaded him into the ambulance.
I'd like his family to know he was unconscious the whole time and didn't appear to be suffering in any way. I was hoping he'd make it until I saw the news report later that evening. My wife and I will be putting a flower at the memorial at the intersection for him.
MSgt R. Greene
By HDRider

9/29/09 at 7:26 a.m.

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My deepest sympathy goes out to Captian Gerard's family!

Just a reminder that Las Vegas BikeFest starts on Thursday and the valley will be flooded with motorcycles. Please everyone drive with caution to help avoid another tragedy such as this.

CHECK TWICE, SAVE A LIFE!
By kvg2009

9/29/09 at 8:19 a.m.

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My condolences to the family of Mr. Gerard. I hate to see another senseless accident involving a motorcycle.
Regardless of what he was driving, that woman shouldn't have been on the road.
I just hope he didn't suffer and is now resting in peace.

devildancer51- Save your ranting for another venue. This article reads just fine.

And yes Captain Gerard did deserve better THAN this.
By tearl

9/29/09 at 9:24 a.m.

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MSgt R. Greene
If you are the gentleman that was coming out of walgreens with your wife I believe, I have told several people about how you didnt hesitate one minute to run to the intersection to possibly help him. I was the one that yelled call 911, only to realize your wife was already doing so. I commend you and your wife and everyone that was there that night. It was a night none of us will ever forget and the way people dropped whatever they were doing to aid in someone they never met is something I will never forget. I felt like we all were in a Snow globe, it was so quiet and it seemed like everything was in slow motion. I cant seem to get this accident out of my mind. I cant seem to get the courage to go back to the scene, I dont know why. My heart goes out to his family and friends and if there is a fund set up for his son please let us all know.
RIP, Always Remebered!
By BayouBluesBabe

9/29/09 at 2:28 p.m.

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I want to personally thank all of those who came to John's aid. He was such a really "nice guy"...and so dedicated to his son. This is such a terrible loss, but, knowing that there were total strangers, that were there to comfort him...and hold his hand...and be with him...has touched my heart. God Bless you all...God Bless John...
By lv2gen

9/30/09 at 6:13 a.m.

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Run a red light and nothing? At least a traffic ticket, cmon. Sounds like manslaughter to start if not negligent homicide or something like that. People need to pay for their actions. An innocent person is dead.
By POWERPLAY

9/30/09 at 7:14 a.m.

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If you run a red light and then hit and kill somebody there has to be a crime in there somewhere. This lady if found guilty has to pay a price she needs to be put in prison for a couple of years. You should not be aloud to just walk away from this with only paying a fine. It should cost alot more then that.
By lcr

9/30/09 at 10:42 a.m.

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Much respect, Sgt. Greene, for having the courage and humanity to get involved.
By krgerard

9/30/09 at 10:46 a.m.

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On behalf of John's entire family I would like to thank all of you who ran to his side. There is a special place in heaven for those who render aid and compfort to strangers. If the tables were turned and John had been one left standing I know he would have responded as you did. It is a blessing to know that he received the kindness and care that he himself would have given. A special thank you to MSgt. Greene, the information you provided about John's last moments did bring much relief to all of us. I pray that this communitee realizes that having our military personel amoung us is such a precious gift. They serve others before themselves willingly and without reservation. As you probably know be now, John was in the Airforce for many years. My husband (John's brother) is retired Airforce also and he wanted to make sure you knew that John valued and respected professionals and he surrounded himself with people just like you. Someone had ask about a fund set up for John's young son. Because of his son, John's life passion was the fight against Autism. The organization he was involved with is FEAT- Families for Early Autism Treatment. They are setting up a special fund in John's name if you would like to donate. The address is FEAT of Southern Nevada 717 S. 3rd St. Las Vegas, Nv. 89101. If you would like to know more about the man that touched your lives you are welcome to come to his service Friday Oct. 2nd First Henderson United Methodist Church 609 Horizon Dr. I am sure that you will become acutely aware of the unique soul you knelt beside that tragic night. God bless you.
By Cyndywas

9/30/09 at 11:27 a.m.

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Remember four wheels may move the body but two wheels move the soul, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten....x0x0x0x0x0x0
R.I.P. John allways in our hearts, soul and spirits
By HeartBroken

9/30/09 at 2 p.m.

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To the Family:
My heart is so heavy for you all. I know there are not really any words that could possibly comfort you right now. But please, dig deep into your Faith and cling to the fact that we all are, really, mostly Spirit. And John's spirit has been released. And let me tell you--he is with those who went before him who loved him and whom he loved, who were waiting to greet him on the other side.

I believe my husband may have known and worked with John. My husband was killed in an airplane crash almost exactly one year ago. It has been the saddest and most difficult journey of my life. But I will tell you this: has time has gone on, I actually feel MORE connected to my husband, than less.

You have to know, LOVE NEVER DIES. And neither do our SPIRITS. Death is a transition, not an ending. As time as passed, I have come to understand that on a level I never knew before.

Yes, we mourn for our loss, but really, their Spirits are set free. And I don't know why John and why my husband, but you have to TRUST God on that, you really do. We only see a teeny tiny bit of the picture, not the whole thing. So your John is riding free now, unencumbered, just like my husband is flying free. And don't think for a minute that you won't hear from him or feel him again! You will! He is more powerful now, in Spirit, than in body. I realize that may not provide any comfort to you, but over time, I know you will understand.

For now, my friends, I pray for you, that you will be overwhelmed with peace instead of grief. It takes time. A lot of time. Dig deep into your Faith. You will not receive an answer to the "Why?" while we are here on this earth, but I believe one day, when you are with John again in Heaven, it will make sense. For right now, just keep loving him and let his love for you continue to come through. Trust me, it will.

God Bless you all and God Bless all the folks who helped and held John while his Spirit made that transition into the beauty and perfection of Heaven.
By missyfromcanada

9/30/09 at 2:52 p.m.

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I cant begin to tell you of the shock and pain I felt hearing about Johns accident. I had the pleasure of meeting John, and his son, and spending some time with the two of them when I came to Vegas, for the "ride for Autism" we did last May. John was one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He picked me up from the airport, welcomed me into his home, and offered me one of his motorcycles to ride without hesitation. I got to sit by his pool, and talk with him and play with his son for a few days. I can tell you that the love and dedication to his son, and his son's "cause" was unmatched. His son was his life! John even called me this summer when he heard of the wildfires in British Columbia to make sure that I was OK.
I hadnt known John for very long, but the news of his passing has struck me very hard. I cant seem to shake the thought of that cute kid growing up without his Daddy. Johns son was his world. The absence of John in his son's life will surely be felt immensely. I can only hope that Johns friends and family pick up where John left off. My hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends...
He will be missed greatly!
By missyfromcanada

9/30/09 at 7:47 p.m.

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Is there a place I can send flowers to the family? Does anyone know?? If there is any info Id love to be able to send something