Cape Coral biker remembered after fatal Mother’s Day crash in Broward County

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Don Tupper, a cherished figure in Cape Coral’s biker community, died after a tragic motorcycle crash on I-75 in Broward County on Mother’s Day.

Tupper was returning to Cape Coral on his Harley-Davidson after a fishing trip when the crash occurred. The accident left Tupper seriously injured, while the baby’s grandmother and great-aunt died at the scene. The 9-month-old baby was taken to a Broward County hospital but later died.

“I was in total disbelief because he was one of the most experienced drivers I have ever had the pleasure meeting. And I'm like, how can this be?” said Carry Cooper, a close friend of Tupper.

Cooper described Tupper as a pillar of the community who often organized efforts to help others.

“He was so known in the community, and he did so much for the community. I'm getting chills, because every time somebody passed or whatever, and there needed to be a right to get money together to help. He was there. He organized a lot,” Cooper said.

Friends and family had hoped Tupper would recover, but on Monday, the community received the devastating news of his passing.

The driver involved in the crash, 60-year-old Cira Quinones Lewis, was arrested. Authorities said Lewis had a suspended license and is now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody due to her undocumented status.

Cooper shared memories of Tupper’s impact during bike nights at Fathoms in Cape Coral.

“That I just want people to know what an amazing person he was and that he was loved all over the place,” Cooper said.

Tupper’s friends and loved ones are urging drivers to be more aware of motorcycles, especially on busy highways.

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