CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) A Tribute and Celebration of Life was held Sunday at the Clarksville Speedway for the BWC5. The five victims lost their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning while attending the Leslie W. Watson Memorial Toy Run on September 18, 2011.
Over 150 family and friends turned out to honor and remember the BWC5, Jim Wall, Tim Stone, Jon & Katy Over and Allison Bagwell-Wyatt. A Memorial Ride was held prior to the tribute from the Bikers Who Care (BWC) Clubhouse to the speedway. Members of each of the five families also placed a wreath at the memorial site located at the Clarksville Speedway.
Guest speakers included Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan, Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts, Tennessee Deputy Commissioner for Fire Prevention Gary West, Clarksville Police Detective Demone Chestnut, and Bikers Who Care member David Von Palko.
Pitts was instrumental, along with the help of the families who lost loved ones, in getting a new law passed in Tennessee to help save lives from the dangers of carbon monoxide. The law, passed in 2011 requires that if you rent a recreational vehicle it must have a working carbon monoxide detector. Also, every September 18 is recognized as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day in Tennessee.