Curt Van Hooser, 69, led Sierra Thunder Harley Owners Group. Now, his widow and fellow founding member continues to emphasize motorcycle safety.
GRANITE BAY, Calif — A community is mourning after a motorcycle club director died from a crash Sunday in Granite Bay.
Curt Van Hooser, 69, died from the crash around 4:10 p.m. at Auburn Folsom and Joe Rodgers roads, according to family and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
A driver allegedly pulled her vehicle out from Joe Rodgers Road in front of Van Hooser, who was riding his motorcycle on Auburn Folsom Road. DUI does not appear to be a factor, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Cyndee Reed Van Hooser, Van Hooser’s widow, said Wednesday that since the deadly crash she continues to emphasize motorcycle safety. The couple were founding members of “Sierra Thunder Harley Owners Group,” the Harley Davidson-sponsored motorcycle club in Folsom.
There are roughly 160 members, and it formed January 2020 in Rocklin, she said. The club moved to Folsom in January 2025 after the Rocklin dealership closed because of economic factors.
“We’re a safe motorcycle club,” she said. “We are a reputable club. Safety is a priority for us.”
Safety protocols
Cyndee often rode on the back of her husband’s bike. When they saw a car swerve and would eventually get close to it, they would see: “Oh, that’s another texter,” she said.
If not texting, Cyndee said they saw a lot of makeup applying or distracted driving in general.
She said she doesn’t know if the vehicle driver in her late husband’s crash was texting — nor is she saying they were. The Van Hoosers were just aware of motorcycle-riding dangers and promoted safety and safety in numbers.
If there’s an accident, each rider has a role. Curt, a 20-year Navy veteran with medical experience, would administer first aid; another rider in the front’s job is to call 911; and Cyndee said her job was to stop traffic.
Cyndee said although she wasn’t there when her husband died, this emergency action plan was implemented when Van Hooser was struck Sunday.
“If there is an accident, we’re prepared for it,” she said.
Who was Curt Van Hooser?
Van Hooser was a “kind, honest” leader with a gentle touch, his widow said.
The couple married later in life, and she said he was the glue that stuck both families together.
With the addition of her family, Curt would say he has nine grandchildren. His nickname, emblazoned on one of his jackets, is “Papa.” He called his wife “Sunshine.”
Curt was an organ donor, and officials told Cyndee they would harvest a heart valve among other organs.
“My mom had a heart valve replacement in 1980,” Cyndee said. “So, my husband’s going to help somebody like my mama.”
Cyndee’s daughter set up a GoFundMe on Monday to help her mother with the costs of Curt’s memorial services. Any remaining proceeds will be donated to an annual Curt Van Hooser scholarship being created in his honor, the fundraiser reads.
He had aspirations to rebuild and restore old, though not vintage, motorcycles. The scholarship will pay homage to Curt Van Hooser by teaching mechanic students how to work on motorcycles, Cyndee said.
