Volusia County, FL – Woman Dies After Falling Asleep on Motorcycle, Tumbling into Guardrail on I-95
Tragedy struck in Volusia County, Florida, on December 26, 2025, when 34-year-old Sara Vasquez, a mother of three from Sanford, died after falling asleep on the back of a motorcycle and tumbling into a guardrail on Interstate 95. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in the northbound lanes near mile marker 235, just south of West Halifax Avenue in Oak Hill. Vasquez was riding as a passenger on a 2003 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide driven by her fiancé, 45-year-old Ricardo Bernal, also of Sanford. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Vasquez fell off the motorcycle while it was in motion, struck the guardrail, and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Neither she nor Bernal were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred after Sara, who had stayed up all night tending to her children, agreed to go on a motorcycle ride with her fiancé the following day despite being exhausted. It is believed that Sara’s fatigue played a significant role in her falling asleep on the bike, leading to the fatal accident. Following the crash, Bernal pulled over on the shoulder of the highway. He was arrested on charges of driving with a revoked license as a habitual traffic offender, resulting in death, and operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement. Bernal was booked into Volusia County Jail after his arrest. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, but the loss of Sara has devastated her family, particularly her three young children.
In the wake of Sara’s tragic death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover her funeral and memorial expenses, including the costs of transporting her body back to Michigan, where her final resting place will be. The fundraiser also seeks to provide ongoing financial support for her children—Josiah (14), Jaramias (12), and Ricco (4)—to ensure their stability after the loss of their mother. The GoFundMe page described Sara as a joyful, attentive, and deeply devoted mother who poured her heart and energy into caring for her children, two of whom are autistic. “This fundraiser is to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, including the costs required to return Sara to Michigan, where her final resting place will be,” the page reads. “Most importantly, these funds will help support her children as they navigate life without their mother, providing stability and assistance with their immediate and ongoing needs.”
Sara’s passing has left a deep void in her family’s lives. She was not only a devoted mother but also a loving partner. As her fiancé faces legal consequences following the crash, her children now face an uncertain future without their primary caregiver. The community’s outpouring of support through the GoFundMe campaign is a testament to the love Sara had for her family, and to the strength of those left behind as they struggle to cope with her loss.
