Moto, wine communities mourn Dan Neumeister

Ride In Peace, Dan Neumeister

Members of the local winemaking and motorcycling community expressed anger, outrage and shock at the death of Sugarleaf Winery's head winemaker and experienced rider Dan Neumeister in a cager-caused car crash on Monday on Earlysville Road.

Thursday night's Bike Night at BW3 will include a short memorial for Mr. Neumeister.

Friends of Dan spoke of shock and frustration. They told The Daily Progress' Ted Strong that Mr. Neumeister was someone who wanted to learn, wanted to know and wanted to do.

"When he first came in to town he showed up at  my garage and said he wanted to learn about motorcycles and was told I was the one to talk to," Bee Brendan Johnson, of Tuning By Bee, recalled to J-SOBs. "I put him to work pulling engines that I was working on. He was an amazing guy."

Some friends called him headstrong and different, but quickly added that they not only respected him but enjoyed his company. This SOB met him once at White Hall where Mr. Neumeister promptly picked on the Buell Blast in the parking lot, leaving this SOB laughing hard.

Friends recalled his penchant for photography and documenting even seemingly silly and small moments.

"There are pictures of Mary and Lawson and me walking across an infield," Bee recalled. "It's a great photo but you wonder, why did he take it? He just loved to document life."

Mr.  Neumeister married his long-time girlfriend a little more than a year ago at the White Hall vineyard and he and wife Adriane honeymooned in Europe, attending motorcycle races.

Many local SOBs spent Tuesday with Adriane and the Neumeister family. Anyone with memories of the man is welcome to email them jeffersoniansobs@gmail.com for inclusion in later updates of this post or add them as comments.

Mr. Neumeister, 31, of Crozet, rode a Suzuki TL-R 1000 and rode it regularl. He was struck and killed around 2 p.m. Monday by a car driven by William T. Thompson, 58, of Ruckersville. Police said Mr. Thompson lost control and swerved into Mr. Neumeister's lane, police say. The car then rolled over several times.

The crash occurred on Earlysville Road near Norwood Road.

Police said they charged Mr. Thompson with DUI and that "alcohol and speed" were likely causes of the crash. They are continuing the investigation and said that more charges may be pending.

Mr. Neumeistere died at the scene. Mr. Thompson was airlifted to UVa Medical Center and was last reported in guarded condition with serious injuries.