Family calls for safe driving after man dies in accident

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – The family of a man killed in a motorcycle crash in Kent County is speaking out and hoping to inspire others to ride safely.

Shawn Wooten's family said he was the driver of a motorcycle that collided with another car at the intersection of Four Mile Road and Alpine Road on August 12.

Wooten was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the vehicle was injured.

“Nobody wants to experience this. This is my mother. You know, it's bad, it's terrible that she has to experience this,” said Davonte Langston, Wooten's brother.

Langston said Wooten was a jack of all trades who loved to have fun.

“As a kid, he was a clown. As a kid, he was always doing crazy dances. He loved to draw anything with wheels, he was drawn to it. He would tinker with anything that had an engine,” Langston said.

He said Wooten was a family man who loved everyone, regardless of blood relation or not.

“He did everything for his family and the family he built. He had friends not only by blood, you know, he influenced many throughout his life,” Langston said.

That's why Langston and his family say it's important in the wake of this tragedy to not only tell Shawn's story, but also talk about the importance of safe driving.

They said Wooten was speeding and lost control. If he were here, he would want others to learn from his mistake.

According to MSP, the motorcyclist collided with another car at the corner of Alpine and 4 Mile after fleeing at a high rate of speed following an earlier encounter with police.

That earlier interaction, according to MSP, occurred in a parking lot when a local police officer spoke to Wooten about the motorcycle not being registered. Investigators say he then sped away from the scene before the crash occurred.

“If there's anything we can do to prevent this or remind someone, it's to slow down. Their lives are more important,” Langston and his family said.

“We all have bad days. Unfortunately, sometimes some people's bad days or mistakes stay with them for a lifetime, not only for themselves but for those around them,” said Krista Cornell, the wife of Wooten's best friend.

They also said they would pray for the other car involved because Wooten would do that too.

The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay funeral expenses.