Triple fatal crash near Taihape: Final bike ride planned for motorcyclist Lesley Brooks’ funeral on Friday

The grief-stricken motorcycle community is planning to ride together to the funeral of their comrade killed in a triple-fatal crash.

Lesley Brooks, 46, a mother of three, was killed on State Highway 1 in Utiku, near Taihape, on Saturday. Fellow motorcyclist Jacob Coady was also killed, along with one other man yet to be identified.

A fourth motorcyclist, who belonged to Sulphur City MC in Rotorua, remains in hospital fighting for his life. A fifth person was also critically injured.

Brooks' funeral will be held in Palmerston North this Friday. The service will take place at Beauchamp Funeral Chapel at 2pm.

Lesley Brooks, 46, (left) is remembered by her friends, family and colleagues as 'such a beautiful soul'. Photo / Supplied

A death notice was placed by her family in the Herald this morning.

It read: “Unfortunately and tragically, our beautiful Lesley was taken from us as a result of a [crash] on Saturday morning.

“Loving mother to Taylor, Alex and Piper. Cherished daughter of Claudia and the late Kenneth, and sister of David. Much loved daughter-in-law of Robynne and Kevin.

“‘We have lost our shining light’.”

Brooks' motorcycle club, the Manawatū Road Pirates SMC, shared details of her funeral arrangements and asked all riders planning to attend to meet at the NPD petrol station on Rangitikei St at 1.15pm.

“This is a time to respectfully give Lesley the send-off she would have wanted,” the club said.

“Please ride respectfully; no rev bombs, burnouts or dangerous riding of any sort.”

Motorcycle clubs around the country have paid tribute to Brooks and the other riders who died.

A mourner said of Brooks: 'You are loved and adored by so many and will always have a special place in my heart.'

Representatives of more than a dozen motley clubs, including the WestCoast Riders, Hikurangi Riders, Tangata Whenua Riders, Tongariro MC, the Maketu Gentleman’s Club, Riders Against Meth, and the Knights MC Sydney, sent regards.

One mourner said: “[Brooks] really loved riding, would come into work with some awesome stories and was always smiling. Such a beautiful soul.”

Another said, “RIP beautiful Lesley. You are loved and adored by so many and will always have a special place in my heart.”

Friend Haydon Christian said of Brooks' death: “We lost something we weren’t willing to give up.”

He has set up a fundraising page to raise money for Brooks’ family. It has so far raised just over $10,000.

Details of funeral arrangements for Coady and the other man have yet to be publicly notified.

President of the Horowhenua chapter of the Road Pirates SMC, Rob Miller, understood police were investigating whether the car involved in the crash, which has also left a fourth man fighting for his life, was on the wrong side of the road.

“We overheard the cop telling somebody there it was a head-on,” Miller told the Herald.

Police told the Herald this morning their investigations were still ongoing. Questioned about the possible cause, a police spokesman earlier said it was too early to comment.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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