A Mesa widow is seeking justice after her husband was killed in a high-speed collision with a car allegedly traveling at 155 mph. Laura Clark, grieving the loss of her 46-year-old husband, Michael Clark, spoke exclusively with Arizona’s Family, expressing her trust in the legal system and her hope for accountability.
Michael Clark's life was cut short early March during a motorcycle ride when 18-year-old Rachel Berg's Corvette crashed into him. "He should’ve been home at 10:45 and I got out of bed at 11:15 and he wasn’t," Laura said in the heart-wrenching interview, "and I could hear the police helicopter. And I knew, I knew. I called him, He didn’t answer. I texted him, but he didn’t read it." Berg, who was driving the Corvette, tried to perform CPR on Michael, but her efforts were in vain as he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The aftermath of the incident saw Berg arrested and charged with reckless manslaughter, authorities stating that the data retrieved from the Corvette's airbag control module showed a speed of 87 mph at the moment of impact, drastically down from 155 mph just five seconds before the crash, according to a report by KPHO. The crash occurred on U.S. 60 near Dobson Road, with Michael Clark being thrown from his bike and into a concrete wall as a result of the collision.
Laura recounted her late husband’s life of service, including a 14-year tenure with the Tacoma, Washington Police Department, and his recent role as a Tempe Park ranger. "He was a man of service. He served his country and he served the community of Tacoma. He was serving Tempe," Laura told Arizona’s Family. "He never met a stranger and he was so warm and welcoming. And our house was always the house for holidays. He loved to cook for people, He loved being a father, he loved being a father to his kids and he was an amazing husband," she added, reflecting on Michael's warm nature and dedication to his family.
The Tacoma Police Department plans to hold a celebration of Michael's life next month, while both families grapple with the consequences of the tragic event. Meanwhile, Rachel Berg's family indicated to Arizona’s Family the immense toll this incident has also taken on their side, although they declined an on-camera appearance. As the Clarks face an unfathomable loss, the wheels of justice begin to turn, perhaps bringing some semblance of closure in the wake of an immeasurable tragedy.
