Jason Greco Death: Remembering the UTSA Student Who Died in a Motorcycle Crash
Jason Greco, a 24-year-old motorcycle enthusiast from San Antonio, Texas, was killed in a fatal collision with a red SUV on September 21, 2023. The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on UTSA Boulevard, near the University of Texas at San Antonio campus.
Greco was riding his motorcycle southbound when the SUV pulled out of a parking lot and hit him, knocking him off his bike. He died at the scene from his injuries, while the driver of the SUV remained unhurt.
Who Was Jason Greco?
Jason Greco was a young man who loved motorcycles, music, and his family. He was born on July 15, 1999, in San Antonio, Texas, to John and Lisa Greco. He had two older sisters, Jessica and Jennifer, who adored him. He attended Clark High School, where he was a member of the band and the chess club. He graduated in 2017 and enrolled at UTSA, where he was studying computer science. He hoped to become a software engineer and create his own video games.
Greco was passionate about motorcycles since he was a kid. He learned how to ride from his father, who also shared his love for bikes. He bought his first motorcycle, a Honda CBR600RR, when he was 18, and he enjoyed riding it around the city and on the highways. He also liked to watch motorcycle races and attend bike shows. He was a fan of MotoGP, the premier class of motorcycle racing, and his favorite rider was Valentino Rossi, the Italian legend.
Greco was also a music lover, especially of rock and metal genres. He played the guitar and the drums, and he had a collection of CDs and vinyl records. He liked to go to concerts and festivals with his friends, and he dreamed of forming his own band someday. Some of his favorite bands were Metallica, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, and Guns N’ Roses.
Greco was a kind, generous, and fun-loving person, who always had a smile on his face. He was close to his family and friends, and he was always there to help them. He had a girlfriend, Ashley, whom he met at UTSA. They had been dating for two years and planned to get married after graduation. They shared many interests and hobbies, and they loved to travel together. They had visited several places in the US and abroad, such as New York, Las Vegas, Paris, and Rome.
How Did the Accident Happen?
The accident that claimed Jason Greco’s life happened on a Wednesday night, when he was on his way home from a study session at UTSA. He was riding his motorcycle on UTSA Boulevard, a four-lane road that connects the university campus with Interstate 10. The speed limit on the road is 45 mph, but Greco was reportedly going faster than that, according to witnesses.
At the same time, a red SUV, driven by a 32-year-old woman, was exiting a parking lot of a shopping center on the opposite side of the road. The woman, whose name has not been released, told the police that she did not see the motorcycle coming and that she thought the road was clear. She pulled out of the parking lot and turned left, crossing the median and the two lanes of the southbound traffic.
The motorcycle and the SUV collided head-on, causing a loud crash that was heard by nearby residents and businesses. The impact was so strong that Greco was thrown off his bike and landed on the pavement. He was wearing a helmet, but it was not enough to save him from the severe injuries he sustained. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics, who arrived shortly after the accident.
The driver of the SUV was not injured, but she was visibly shaken and distraught. She stayed at the scene and cooperated with the police, who conducted a sobriety test on her. She was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but she was cited for failure to yield the right of way. She could face criminal charges, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The accident caused a major traffic disruption on UTSA Boulevard, which was closed for several hours while the police collected evidence and cleared the debris. The motorcycle was badly damaged, and the SUV had a smashed front end and a shattered windshield. The police also interviewed witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage from the nearby businesses.
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How Did the Community React?
The news of Jason Greco’s death shocked and saddened his family, friends, and the UTSA community. Many people expressed their condolences and tributes on social media, remembering him as a wonderful person who had a bright future ahead of him. His family released a statement, thanking everyone for their support and asking for privacy during this difficult time.
Greco’s funeral was held on September 25, 2023, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in San Antonio. Hundreds of people attended the service, including his family, friends, classmates, professors, and fellow motorcycle riders. His casket was draped with an American flag, and his motorcycle helmet was placed on top of it. His sisters delivered eulogies, recalling their memories of him and his love for life. His girlfriend, Ashley, also spoke, saying that he was her soulmate and that she would always love him.
After the service, a procession of motorcycles escorted Greco’s hearse to the Sunset Memorial Park, where he was buried. The riders honked their horns and revved their engines, paying their last respects to their fallen friend. Some of them wore T-shirts with Greco’s name and picture, and others carried signs with messages such as “Ride in Peace” and “Forever in Our Hearts”.
What Can We Learn from This Tragedy?
Jason Greco’s death is a tragic reminder of the dangers of motorcycle riding and the importance of safety and responsibility on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash, and 6 times more likely to be injured. In 2022, there were 5,015 motorcyclist fatalities and 84,000 motorcyclist injuries in the US, accounting for 14% of all traffic deaths and 17% of all traffic injuries.
The NHTSA also reports that the most common causes of motorcycle crashes are speeding, alcohol impairment, lack of helmet use, and failure to yield the right of way. In Greco’s case, it appears that both speeding and failure to yield the right of way were factors that contributed to the accident. Therefore, it is crucial for both motorcyclists and other drivers to follow the rules of the road and to be aware of their surroundings.
