Sheriff honors North Carolina motorcycle crash victim who organized memorial rides

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Mecklenburg County law enforcement community, along with hundreds of motorcycle riders, have begun to plan a memorial ride for a man killed in a weekend crash in north Charlotte.

Dennis Koch, and his wife Crystal Ashe, were hit when a driver allegedly drove through a stop sign near the intersection of Sunset Road and Old Statesville Road on Sunday.

Koch died at the scene, while his wife has remained in the hospital since with a “long road ahead of her,” explained those with knowledge of her status.

The couple has organized multiple “A Ride to Remember” events throughout the Carolinas. These rides have honored fallen soldiers and law enforcement officers while helping raise money for their families.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden told Queen City News Koch’s death is “a true loss.”

He spoke by phone from Chicago, where he will play a role at the Democratic National Convention.

Though he’s in Illinois, his heart is in Charlotte with the Ashe family.

“Oh, I’ll tell you, we’re not good. We’re not good,” he explained.

The last memorial ride was on May 30, where McFadden said 125 bikers rode more than 280 miles with one mission in mind.

On Tuesday, after he learned of Ashe’s death, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office posted:

MCSO would like to offer its condolences to the family of Crystal Ashe. Crystal’s husband, Dennis Koch, passed away after a car ran into their motorcycle near Sunset Road on Sunday. If you recall, year after year, Sheriff McFadden has always supported the Ashe’s family Memorial Day Ride to Remember, which honors fallen soldiers and remembers their sacrifices. This past May, the sheriff escorted hundreds of motorcycle riders through several counties across the Charlotte region and the Triad that spans at least 250 miles.

Crystal is currently in the hospital recovering from her injuries. ‘I lost a brother and I’m praying for my sister’s recovery. I pray for her boys. I can’t even fathom,’ said Sheriff McFadden. ‘I have lost somebody who I have grown to love and admire .’

Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office

Though McFadden said details have not been fully hammered out, there will be a memorial ride for Dennis sometime on Sunday at the intersection where he died.

A cross now sits at the spot, along with a sign that asks motorists to be aware of motorcycles when they drive.

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