DAVIE, Fla. – Hundreds gathered Friday night at the Davie Car Show in memory of a motorcyclist struck and killed by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 95 last week.
Family and friends said 42-year-old Norman Mello attended the show every week for more than a decade. The group held a moment of silence at 7:30 p.m., the time relatives said Mello passed away.
From there, his family and friends got into cars and on motorcycles to ride in Mello's honor.
The pack was led by his car, which was driven by his brother, Scott.
"I need to be an example of upbeat," said Scott. "I need to let people know that Norman enjoyed life."
The 911 calls obtained by Local 10 paint a chilling picture of the accident Saturday night that led to his death.
Norman Mello was on the southbound express lanes of I-95 before S.R. 836 when he was hit by a car traveling north in those lanes.
The fatal wreck backed up traffic for hours.
Police said the driver, identified as 20-year-old Varissa Vargas, was taken to the hospital; many questions remain about the accident.
Officials said it's unclear where Vargas accessed the southbound lanes and how long she had been driving the wrong way.
Mello's family said they hired a private investigator after few details about the driver were released or found on numerous databases.
Family and friends said the memorial ride was a celebration of Mello's life.
He was not only an avid biker and car enthusiast, but known for his work rescuing animals and helping recovering alcoholics.
Police said Vargas remains in the hospital and said they are awaiting results of a blood test as the investigation moves forward.