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Family mourns mother of three killed during a motorcycle crash on I-44

TULSA, Okla. — The family of a Catoosa woman who died in a motorcycle crash on I-44 say they’re trying to help her fiancé and three children through the trauma.

Shelbi Knapp’s fiancé and 10-year-old son were also in the crash Sunday night. They survived but are now recovering from the physical and emotional injuries.

Family members say Shelbi loved life and her three kids; 10-year-old Wiatt, 3-year-old Spencier, and 6-month-old Riley May.

“Her kids were her life. That’s what she lived, day in and day out, for her children,” said Shelbi’s mother Cindy Thompson. “She was tender-hearted. Shelbi was the calm to the storm, always. Shelbi was a caregiver.”

Sadly, Shelbi’s life came to a halt on Sunday. The yellow motorcycle that Shelbi had recently bought crashed and was hit by another car. Her fiancé, Merle Joshlin, who was riding another motorcycle with Shelbi’s son Wiatt on the back, also crashed.

“He moved Wiatt to the side of the highway. When he went back to look for Shelbi, she was pinned underneath the vehicle,” said Thompson.

Shelbi died at the scene. Joshlin and Wiatt were taken to the hospital and treated for their injuries.

Wiatt was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Thompson says that saved his life. However, she’s also worried about the trauma from the crash.

“His little body did suffer a lot of trauma, but he’s trying to be really strong. He’s just really young and he knows his mom is gone,” said Thompson.

Joshlin is now looking after the kids, and a Go-Fund-Me has been created to help with expenses. The money will help the family pay for Shelbi’s funeral and counseling for the family.

“Spencier is only three. The only thing she knows is that her mom isn’t home, but eventually they will have to explain it to her. And a 6-month-old who will feel the absence of her mother, but will never know her mom. [Joshlin] has a huge responsibility ahead of him. He’s a wonderful dad, he just needs the help,” said Thompson.





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