Services Friday for Travis Airman Killed by Allegedly Drunk Driver

By Bay City News Service

A memorial service is scheduled Friday for a Travis Air Force Base airman who was killed Sunday afternoon in Napa County when his motorcycle collided with a van allegedly driven by a drunken driver.

David Robert Fernandez's family decided to have his memorial service at the Twin Peaks Chapel at the base on Friday afternoon because Fernandez would have wanted it there, Travis Air Force Base Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrower said.

"His wife said the Air Force was a big part of his life and he was extremely proud of his service," Harrower said.

The memorial will take place between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The crash happened at about 12:45 p.m. Sunday as Fernandez, 41, and Michael Manalo, 31, of Fairfield, were riding their Yamaha motorcycles east on state Highway 128 east of Wragg Canyon Road, California Highway Patrol Officer Jaret Paulson said.

They were passing slower traffic and were approaching an eastbound 1997 Chevrolet van driven by Austin Meade, 28, of Oakland, Paulson said.

When Meade made an unexpected left turn toward the road's north shoulder in front of the bikers, the motorcycles broadsided the van, Paulson said.

Fernandez was pronounced dead at the scene and Manalo suffered moderate injuries. Harrower said Fernandez, who was from New York City, was close to retirement.

Meade was not injured and was booked into Napa County Jail on suspicion of DUI, Paulson said.

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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