Kellyville family mourns 26-year-old man killed in motorcycle accident

A grieving family honors the memory of a man who died in a motorcycle accident in April.

According to police, Calvin Casteel was riding his bike in Sapulpa when a car drove into the road in front of him.

Working on this Mustang keeps Cody Barnes busy.

“I need to change the brake pads,” said Barnes.

The project allows him to keep his hands and mind busy on what would normally be a happy day.

“I usually wake up and text him, ‘Hey, you idiot, happy birthday, have a great day.'”

But Cody won’t be able to send that text message to his brother today.

“I just lay in bed and knew I couldn’t text him,” Barnes said.

Cody’s brother Calvin Casteel died on April 10, days after a fatal accident on Taft Avenue in Sapulpa.

It was at this intersection in Sapulpa that Calvin was riding his motorcycle when he had an accident that would change his family’s life forever.

“My mom tells me my brother had an accident and suddenly my heart stops,” Barnes said.

According to police, Calvin’s motorcycle crashed into a car that was speeding away in front of him. He died a few days later in hospital at the age of 26, leaving behind his wife, Emily, and their newborn daughter. She says the days since his accident have not been easy.

“They are tough,” says Emily Carroll.

For Calvin’s family, processing their grief means rallying around the motorcycle community he loved.

“It was a great support, it was a great help, we are grateful for all the help,” said Calvin’s mother Sheila.

They are holding a poker run on Saturday to raise money for funeral and memorial expenses, focusing as much as possible on the happy memories.

“I think there will be a pretty big turnout tomorrow,” Sheila said.

Calvin’s mother says the outpouring of support shows how big an influence her son has had on those around him.

Registration for the Poker Run begins at 11 a.m. at the VFW in Sapulpa. There will also be a taco bar, silent auction and raffle tickets.