Sara Vasquez, 34, died on Dec. 26 after falling asleep as a passenger on a motorcycle on Interstate 95 in Volusia County, Florida; she struck a guardrail and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her fiancé, 45-year-old Ricardo Bernal, who was uninjured, was arrested and faces charges including driving with a revoked license causing death and operating without a motorcycle endorsement. The Florida Highway Patrol described Bernal as a "habitual traffic offender" with prior infractions, and the report noted neither rider was wearing a helmet. A GoFundMe has been launched to support Vasquez's three children and cover funeral costs.
Florida Mom Dies After Falling Asleep As Motorcycle Passenger; Fiancé Arrested
GoFundMeSara Vasquez.
A Florida mother died after she fell asleep while riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, causing her to fall from the moving vehicle and strike a guardrail, authorities say.
The crash occurred on Dec. 26 at about 2 p.m. on Interstate 95 in Volusia County. The victim, 34-year-old Sara Vasquez of Sanford, was riding with her fiancé, 45-year-old Ricardo Bernal. According to an accident report cited by local outlets, Vasquez apparently fell asleep while the motorcycle was in motion and then fell off the bike; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando/YoutubeMotorcycle accident on I-95.
Bernal pulled the motorcycle to the roadside after the crash and was not injured. The Florida Highway Patrol report noted that neither rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
Arrest and charges: The Florida Highway Patrol identified Bernal as a "habitual traffic offender." He was arrested on multiple charges, including driving with a revoked license causing death and operating a motorcycle without the required endorsement. An arrest report cited by local news said Bernal had six prior infractions for driving on a suspended or revoked license.
Sara Vasquez FacebookSara Vasquez.
Family statement and GoFundMe: Vasquez's family told News 6 that she had been exhausted from caring for her three children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. A GoFundMe created by the family says she stayed awake the night before tending to the children; when a relative arrived to help the following morning, Sara agreed to go on a short motorcycle ride to get some fresh air. The family wrote on the fundraiser:
"The night before her passing, she stayed awake tending to her children. The following morning, after a family member arrived to help watch them so she could rest, an exhausted Sara agreed to accompany her boyfriend on a motorcycle ride. Tragically, during that ride, Sara collapsed and fell, losing her life."
The GoFundMe aims to raise money to support Vasquez's three children, ages 14, 12 and 4, and to cover funeral and memorial expenses. PEOPLE and local outlets reported the story and have contacted the Florida Highway Patrol for comment.
Safety note: The incident highlights the dangers of unsecured or fatigued passengers and the importance of proper licensing and protective gear when riding motorcycles.
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