Motorcyclists rev up their engines to help raise awareness for veteran suicides
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
In the parking lot of Frazier's Harley-Davidson in Buford, they're on the last leg of an important road trip.
Angela White and her husband, Jason, a veteran himself, are founders of the nonprofit Riding 22 in 22.
The nonprofit is a veteran suicide awareness group that's biking 22 states in 22 days. They're raising money to donate to a program that works with The Ohio State University.
'When you're out there on a back road by yourself, it's just you, the wind, and your thoughts,' said Jason White.
And those bikers' thoughts are on some of our nation's veterans who need help.
'The average number of veterans who commit suicide a day is 22,' said Angela White.
TRENDING STORIES:
Raids uncover largest fentanyl pill operation in state history in Atlanta, Douglasville
Teen thrown from home by tornado in Henry County moving to rehab facility
2 young children left in hot vehicle at Cumberland Mall, sheriff's office says; father arrested
Motorcycle shops are primary stops along the way. The Whites meet new friends who help them spread the word to help those who served their country and now may need help themselves.
'I say check on a buddy. Call and say, 'Hey dude, what's up today? Been thinking about you.' Just contacting somebody can save a life sometimes,' Jason White said.
Georgia is state No. 19 for the bike-riding couple. On Wednesday, the convoy heads to South Carolina.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Cobb man convicted of fraud after using $12M to live lavish lifestyle
A 49-year-old Marietta man faces 170 years in prison after he was convicted of fraud. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Friday, a jury convicted Carl Delano Torjagbo, AKA Karl Lucius Delano Torjagbo, 49, of Marietta, of bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. According to court documents, on February 13, 2021, Torjagbo submitted two tax returns to the IRS. Each tax return had a different social security number and date of birth. The counterfeit tax returns showed that Torjagbo had millions of dollars in losses that offset earnings from his African gold mine business, Kremkov Industries, the Department of Justice said. This resulted in the U.S. Treasury issuing a check for $3,366,240.76 to Torjagbo. TRENDING STORIES: Family realizes iPad stolen after Delta flight, finds thief's explicit photos on the iCloud 12 teens found living in church basement; fire marshal says it violated county codes Take a look at Buford High School's new $62 million football stadium The DOJ said, days later, Torjagbo signed a Paycheck Protection Program ('PPP') loan requesting $9,554,425 for his company. Court documents revealed that Torjagbo erifited that the company was opened on February 15, 2020. The 38-year-old said he had 493 employees who reside across the U.S., and had an average monthly payroll of nearly $4 million. In March 2021, Torjagbo received $9.6 million in a PPP loan. Officials said he used the PPP loan and tax refund to purchase the following: $1,677,861.01 for his home; $332,999.80 for a 2014 Lamborghini Aventador; $120,799.79 for a 2022 BMW M850xi; $90,520 for a 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar; $51,000 for the down payment on a 72-foot yacht; Over $1,000,000 for real estate, trucks, and trailers to start a new business; More than $15,000 for plastic surgery. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. He faces a maximum of 170 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 3.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Family of motorcyclists killed in Santa Cruz Mountains crash seeks answers
The family of a Hayward couple is seeking answers after a head-on crash with a Tesla killed the pair as they were riding a motorcycle on a winding highway in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Saturday. The couple's daughter identified the pair as Ernest Latta, 61, and Lisa Latta, 59. 'They were opposites, but they were the best pair,' Christina Gonzales Latta said of her parents. 'They were like French fries and ice cream.' She added: 'The love they had was the strongest I've ever known.' The couple was riding a Harley-Davidson south on Highway 9, south of Highway 35, around 4:45 p.m. when the motorcycle and a northbound Tesla Model 3 collided head-on, the California Highway Patrol said. The impact threw the couple onto the road, where they died. The Tesla driver, an 18-year-old San Jose woman, was not injured, the CHP said. As of Wednesday, no one was arrested and the crash remained under investigation, the CHP said. The agency released few other details. Gonzales Latta described her step-father as an avid motorcyclist who prioritized safety, especially with her mom on the bike. 'He's a protector,' Gonzales Latta said. For that reason, Gonzales Latta suspects the Tesla driver was at fault, she said, adding that she wonders whether the driver was texting or speeding. 'I don't know why my mom and dad are gone,' she said. 'It's very hard.' She said she believes her parents, who were together for 40 years, were headed to Santa Cruz to eat at a nice restaurant. The couple commonly rode to coastal cities on weekends. With a shared love for the ocean, Santa Cruz and Monterey were among their favorite destinations, Gonzales Latta said. She remembered her step-father as a quiet, humble, intelligent and adventurous man. Her mother was loud, thoughtful and caring, she said. Lisa Latta had her when she was 17. 'We grew up together,' Gonzales Latta said. The couple met in San Jose when Gonzales Latta was 2 after her mother relocated from Staten Island in search of a better life for Gonzales Latta and her brother. Their family later grew when Ernest and Lisa Latta had a son. Gonzales Latta said something felt wrong Saturday after her parents did not come home to pick up their 7-month-old Yorkie, named Arlington. Concerned for her parents, Gonzales Latta called hospitals across the Bay Area. It wasn't until authorities called her and referred her to the Santa Cruz County coroner the next day that she learned the tragic news. She said she hopes for justice for her parents. For now, she feels a sense of peace because 'they're always going to be together now,' she said. As for Arlington, Lisa Latta's brother took him in. 'For him, that's a piece of her,' Gonzales Latta said. The family created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral expenses. Gonzales Latta said her immediate priority was to make arrangements for her parents' funeral. 'After I lay my parents to rest,' she said, 'I need answers.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Porch pirate' seen on video took package with medical supplies, Rockdale authorities say
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office said an unidentified male suspect was seen stealing a package from a front porch on July 4. The theft occurred around 5 a.m. The package contained needed medical supplies, authorities said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Investigator N. Peterson is handling the case and is seeking assistance from the public to identify the suspect. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Peterson at 770-278-8036 or via email at The investigation is ongoing, and authorities hope to recover the stolen medical items with the help of public tips. TRENDING STORIES: 'The only place I've ever called home': Walton County family sues after home sold using forged deed Georgia officials say more than 15,000 families applied for Georgia Promise vouchers Marjorie Taylor Greene says she's not running for governor [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Solve the daily Crossword
