May 16, 2000

Friday night in a quiet Sandy neighborhood, a teenager on a motorcycle lost control, crashed, and died. He planned to graduate from high school in two weeks. Now his friends are left to think about how quickly it ended. News Specialist Jed Boal has the story.

Friends say Taylor Christensen had a lot to look forward to...

Jenna Oyler/Friend: HE WAS ALWAYS SMILING. YOU'D NEVER HEAR ANYONE SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIM.

Late Friday, Christensen took a spin on a friend's new bullet bike. Police say he was speeding, lost control, hit a tree and rolled several times. He was not wearing a helmet.

Police say the 600 horsepower, low-profile bike may have had too much power for an inexperienced rider.

Friends brought flowers in his memory. At Brighton High School, teachers say students are subdued, but coping.

One of Christensen's teachers says that crash may make other students think twice.

Jana Crist/Brighton Teacher: A LOT OF TIMES WE THINK WE'RE INVINCIBLE. BUT, IT KIND OF HITS HOME THAT WE'RE NOT.

Jed Boal/Eyewitness News: THE TEACHER AND THE FRIEND BOTH SAY CHRISTENSEN WASN'T THE KIND OF GUY TO TAKE EXTRAORDINARY RISKS. THEY THINK HE WAS JUST SWEPT AWAY IN THE EXCITEMENT OF THE MOMENT...JUST 'CAUSE HIS FRIEND GOT A NEW BULLET BIKE. IF YOUR FRIEND GOT A NEW CAR YOU'D WANT TO RIDE IN IT.

Police say your chances of getting injured on a motorcycle are dramatically greater than in a car. 90 percent of all motorcycle crashes end in injury, compared to less than 40 percent of car crashes.

HIS GROUP OF FRIENDS IS REALLY TIGHT. EVERYONE'S JUST HOLDING TOGETHER.

Christensen's class will honor him with a special page in the school yearbook.

Funeral services for Taylor Christensen will be held Wednesday.