A vintage motorcycle—its chrome gleaming under the April sun—lay crumpled against a concrete barrier on Interstate 94 near Hudson, Wisconsin. David Burley, a 58-year-old restaurateur and lifelong rider, was thrown from his prized 1947 Vincent in a collision that left the Twin Cities motorcycle community reeling.

But as shock turned to grief, a haunting question emerged: Was this tragedy just an accident… or a preventable act of negligence?

Who Was David Burley?

David Burley wasn’t just another rider. To those who knew him, he was the guy who’d print his cell number on restaurant receipts to hear customer feedback. The co-founder of Minnesota’s beloved Blue Plate Restaurant empire. The adventurer’s Instagram bio read: “Motorcyclist, scuba diver, travel nut, pilot, cat lover.”

But on the road, he was a pure vintage rebel. His garage housed classics like the 1947 Vincent—a bike as much about craftsmanship as speed.

Weekends often found him carving Minnesota’s backroads, swapping stories with fellow riders at diners. “He didn’t just ride; he lived it,” says Jake, a local rider. “When you saw that Vincent, you knew it was David.”

His death wasn’t just a loss—it felt personal.

What Led to the Deadly Collision?

April 6, 2025. 2:48 PM. Westbound I-94.

Andre Mathews, 33, swerved his Infiniti onto the right shoulder—a reckless, illegal pass attempt. Witnesses described chaos as his car clipped a guardrail and then lurched into the right lane. Burley, cruising legally on his Vincent, had nowhere to go.

The impact sent both vehicles slamming into the median. Burley, without the protective cage of a car, suffered fatal injuries.

Mathews walked away with minor wounds—and a blood alcohol level that allegedly sealed his culpability. By Monday, he faced charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

“This wasn’t a ‘crash,'” argues veteran rider Maria Cortez. “It was a choice to drink, drive, and ignore every rule of the road.”

How the Community Is Fighting Back

The Twin Cities motorcycle world erupted in grief. Blue Plate restaurants closed for a day. Riders organized memorial rides, their engines thundering in unison.

But anger simmered beneath the sorrow. “David’s death wasn’t random,” says safety expert Dr. Lena Park. “Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time—everything a driver needs to avoid killing someone.”

NHTSA data backs her: 29–42% of motorcyclists killed in crashes had a BAC over 0.08%.

The Stats Every Rider Needs to Know

Let’s get real: Riding is riskier than ever.

  • 6,218 motorcyclists died in 2022—15% of all traffic fatalities.
  • 35% of fatal crashes involve speeding.
  • 54% of riders killed in no-helmet states weren’t wearing one.

But the biggest threat? Other drivers. Distracted, drunk, or just oblivious.

Empower yourself:

  • Ride defensively: Assume cars don’t see you.
  • Gear up: Helmets reduce fatal head injuries by 37%.
  • Push for change: Support stricter DUI laws and MADD’s campaigns for anti-drunk driving tech in cars.

Will You Ride for Change?

David Burley’s story isn’t just about loss—it’s a wake-up call. His death, fueled by alleged drunk driving, underscores a brutal truth: Riders deserve safer roads.

So, what now? Honor him by riding smarter. Lobby for laws that punish reckless drivers. Attend a safety workshop. And the next time you hit the highway, remember: Every ride is a statement.