Vacation Bible School Teacher on Motorcycle Killed in Crash

A Virginia man riding home on a small motorcycle from teaching a Bible class died Monday night after he crashed with a car making a U-turn.

Peter Kester, 56, taught a vacation Bible school session to children at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va. on Monday and then headed toward his home in Springfield, Va., Fairfax County Police and his widow said.

The father of two was headed westbound on Franconia Road when a driver in a Toyota Camry did a U-turn in front of him. Kester, riding a Genuine Buddy 150 motorcycle, tried to stop but couldn't. He slammed into the car on the 6400 block of Franconia Road, near Key Middle School, police said.

Police were called to the scene about 9:30 p.m. and tried to revive Kester, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kester, who worked as an I.T. contractor for Lockheed Martin, was a devout Christian and the son of missionaries who worked in Africa, his wife of 32 years, Sandy Kester, said. She said she was comforted by how he spent his last hours.

"He was doing what he loved. It was in God's will and God's timing," Sandy Kester said. "He's not in pain anymore. We're the ones having a little pain on earth."

Kester won his motorcycle in a contest, his wife said. It scared her.

"He knew I didn't like the thing, but I know guys will have toys, and you can't talk anybody out of their favorite things," Sandy Kester said.

Officials believe the driver, a 23-year-old woman, never saw Kester on his motorcycle. Neither alcohol nor the speed at which she was driving are believed to have been factors.

Police said Kester did everything right: he was wearing a helmet and even had on a reflective vest.

Fairfax County master police officer Joe Moore advised drivers to avoid distractions and motorcyclists to stay alert.

No charges against the driver had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to visit www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, text TIP187 plus your message to CRIMES(274637)** or call 866-411-TIPS(8477) or 703-691-2131.

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