"He took a life:" Neighbors of motorcyclist killed in crash saddened to learn car's driver may have been high

“He took a life:” Neighbors of motorcyclist killed in crash saddened to learn car`s driver may have been high

"He took a life:" Neighbors of motorcyclist killed in crash saddened to learn car`s driver may have been high

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- He was killed while doing something that he loved. A 72-year-old Brown Deer man was riding his motorcycle late Saturday night, April 11th when he collided with a car. It happened near 76th and Thurston in Milwaukee. Police say the driver of the vehicle was high, and he shouldn't have even been on the road in the first place because he didn't have a valid driver's license.

Nancy and Ron Borth say things won't be the same in their neighborhood.

"He used to go in and out on his bike. You always heard a motorcycle, and it's just kind of quiet. I'm sorry he's gone. It's kind of spooky because he was always around," the Borths said.

72-year-old David Berg was their next-door neighbor.

It was about 11:30 p.m. Saturday when Berg was riding his motorcycle -- headed northbound on N. 76th Street. He approached the intersection of W. Thurston Circle when a 24-year-old man driving a vehicle southbound on N. 76th Street began to make a left turn. He failed to yield the right-of-way to Berg, and the motorcycle and vehicle collided.

A Medical Examiner's report says Berg was ejected from the motorcycle -- thrown about 20 feet into the air. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ron Borth says his heart sank when he saw the wreckage from the crash on the news. What was more disheartening, he says, was learning that the car's driver was suspected of driving while high on marijuana. Police say he failed a field sobriety test at the scene.

Police say the 24-year-old suspect was never issued a valid driver's license and his license status was suspended.

"I think he should spend some time -- whether it is five years or 10 years -- he took a life," Ron Borth said.

Nancy Borth says she's feeling this loss very deeply.

"We would just talk. It was just nice to have somebody there," Nancy Borth said.

The Borths are remembering their neighbor as a Harley-Davidson enthusiast who was young at heart.

"He`s a nice guy," Ron Borth said.

Police say the 24-year-old man who was driving the car remained at the crash scene. He was arrested, and this case is being presented to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for charges.