Memorial Ride Held For Motorcyclists Killed In Western Wis.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The lives of two people killed in a motorcycle accident earlier this week are being remembered in a memorial ride.

James Marinaro and Denise Thomas were honored Saturday in a ride from Monte's Sports Bar in Spring Lake Park to Ellisworth Township in western Wisconsin — the site of their fatal crash.

Marinaro and Thomas, from Blaine, were killed Monday when a 20-year-old driver in an SUV, who was traveling in the opposite direction, made a left-hand turn and collided with the couple.

They were both thrown from the motorcycle, which then caught fire.

James Marinaro's sister Tamera Marinaro says the budding romance only started about a month ago for the couple in their 50s.

Their families met for the first time, at the spot where the two lost their lives.

"You'd really prefer to meet somebody in a joyful situation as opposed to a tragic situation, and this is a tragedy," Tamera Marinaro said.

The family said James Marinaro, who loved riding in Wisconsin where he worked, was slowly introducing Denise Thomas to his love for motorcycles.

"They deserved to live out their days riding their motorcycle, enjoying a summer evening," Tamera Marinaro said. "She didn't really get a long time to really experience the full joy of riding."

The couple's families won't get to see where life may have led the couple, but they take comfort in the brief happiness the two shared.

"After all, what's the most important thing in our life?" Tamera Marinaro said. "Love and experience."

They don't want other families to suffer losing loved ones to traffic accidents.

They're asking everyone who shares the roads to slow down and pay attention.

"The amount of time it takes you to take a deep breath, three seconds," Tamera Marinaro said. "Look both ways two, three times and you might save a life."

James Marinaro's family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with funeral costs.

Nine motorcyclists have been killed this year on Minnesota roads.