JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A motorcyclist from Ormond Beach and his female passenger died early Friday morning when he lost control of his bike on the Arlington Expressway flyover ramp to the Southside Connector, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Motorcyclist Eli Michael Holley, 39, and passenger Renae McLaughlin, 34, were headed east on the ramp just after 2:30 a.m. when the motorcycle left the road and hit a concrete wall. The two were thrown from the motorcycle and off the overpass.
Both died at the scene. Troopers said alcohol was involved in the crash.
McLaughlin had two sons, ages 12 and 8. Her friend said she worked as a special education teacher's aide at First Coast High School during the day and at a restaurant at night to support them.
“It broke my heart, not just for everybody, but for her two boys that have to wake up this morning without their mother,” William Dias said. “She is a single mom, works two jobs. I mean, made sure her kids have everything. I mean, just took her son to Legoland for his birthday. You can't ask for a better mom.”
Friends said McLaughlin had met Holley just hours before the crash.
“(She was) upbeat, the life of the party, always nurturing, looking out for everybody. The type of person that would just go out of her way to help somebody," Dias said.
Holley's brother, Tyler Holley, said Eli was "always a gentleman, fun, and a loyal friend and brother."
GoFundMe Accounts: McLaughlin's family | Holley's family
He said Eli was a motorcycle enthusiast and died doing what he loved. He said his brother had been living with him and attending Tulsa Welding School, where he recently earned a 4.0 GPA.
Eli also worked as a bartender at Dave & Buster's, Tyler said.
A vigil is planned for McLaughlin at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Normandy Athletic Association on Lindsey Road.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office also responded to the crash.
Traffic in the area was detoured until just after 7:15 a.m.