Rachel’s Ride honors Toledo woman killed in motorcycle crash
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - More than 100 people gathered Sunday for a memorial ride in honor of a local woman killed in a motorcycle crash last year.
34-year-old Rachel Ciralsky died last June after a crash at the intersection of Bennett and Cloverdale in Toledo. Authorities said the involved drivers left the scene, leaving Ciralsky in the street. She was taken to the hospital where she later died.
Oswaldo Moreno was arrested in her death, charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and failure to stop after an accident. He pleaded not guilty on Thursday and is held on a $120,000 bond.
The memorial ride started at the docks at International Park in Toledo. The bikers drove to the site of the crash, bringing candles and photos. Riders wore purple, Rachel’s favorite color, to honor her memory.
Kyleigh Ciralsky, Rachel’s daughter, said her mother would’ve cried “happy tears” if she was alive to see the event.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Kyleigh Ciralsky said. “I’m really happy all the people were brought together but they shouldn’t have had to be brought together this soon.”
Rachel was a single mother and showed strength despite the stress that weighed on her, according to Kyleigh.
“In a world that’s really rigged against you it’s hard to be so strong,” Kyleigh said. “She was strong enough for herself and a father figure, so I didn’t need one because she was there.”
Ciralsky said she didn’t know about half the people who attended the motorcycle ride, calling the biker community the most loving people she’s ever met.
Virginia Wilcox, a friend of Rachel, said she was there to show support for the Ciralsky family. She remembers Rachel as a bubbly and outgoing person.
“Rachel loved everyone and she just wanted everyone to be happy,” Wilcox said. “She was the type of person this world needs more of.”
Rachel’s family lined the street watching the parade of bikes. Those taking part in the ride hope their presence can continue to bring awareness to motorcycle safety. Rachel’s daughter, says her mother would be proud of all the support
“It shows that a lot of people care, the biker community is a huge community so I don’t doubt that they care,” said Kyleigh Ciralsky. “They’re very loving from what I’ve seen. I don’t know half these people but they’re the most loving people I’ve ever meet. She would be crying, I know her, she would be balling her eyes out with happy tears of course you know. And I guess she would be very happy for her friends and tell them not to cry because it’s going to be okay.”
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