The quiet hum of a summer evening in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, was shattered on Monday, June 2, 2025, when a devastating collision claimed the lives of two beloved members of the local motorcycle community. Bobby Goode, 60, and Sarah Brittany McElrath, 37, were killed in a crash on Highway 14 near Oak Grove Road, leaving behind a grieving community and a sobering reminder of the fragility of life on the open road. Their deaths have sparked an outpouring of tributes and renewed calls for road safety as authorities work to unravel the circumstances of the tragedy.
The accident occurred around 6:20 p.m., as the sun dipped low over the rolling hills of Spartanburg County. A 2007 Dodge pickup truck, traveling west on Highway 14, collided with an eastbound motorcycle carrying Goode and McElrath. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the truck with catastrophic force. The impact left both riders critically injured, their helmets unable to protect them from the severity of the crash. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but McElrath was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:17 p.m. Goode, clinging to life, was rushed to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries just hours later at 10 p.m. The driver of the pickup truck, unharmed, remained at the scene and is cooperating with authorities.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Bobby Goode, the motorcycle’s driver, and Sarah Brittany McElrath, his passenger. Both were well-known figures in the local motorcycle community, often seen weaving through the Upstate’s scenic roads or joining group rides with friends. Goode, a 60-year-old with a warm smile and a passion for adventure, was remembered as a mentor to younger riders, always ready to share a story or a tip about maintaining a bike. McElrath, at 37, was described as vibrant and fearless, her love for the open road matched only by her kindness and infectious laughter. Friends and family have flooded social media with memories, posting photos of the pair at rallies, their motorcycles gleaming under the South Carolina sun. “They lived for the ride,” one friend wrote, “and they went out together, doing what they loved.”
Investigators have yet to determine the precise cause of the collision. Highway Patrol officers, alongside the Coroner’s Office, spent hours at the crash site, meticulously documenting evidence, examining the vehicles, and interviewing witnesses. No charges have been filed as of Tuesday morning, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released details about whether speed, road conditions, or other factors played a role, but the community is left grappling with questions and a profound sense of loss.
This tragedy comes amid a troubling rise in motorcycle fatalities across South Carolina. In recent years, the state has seen a steady increase in such incidents, with motorcyclists accounting for a disproportionate number of traffic deaths relative to their presence on the roads. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has repeatedly urged drivers to exercise caution, emphasizing the need to check blind spots and yield to two-wheeled vehicles. While Goode and McElrath were both wearing helmets—a practice that safety advocates say can reduce the risk of fatal injuries—their deaths underscore the vulnerability of motorcyclists in collisions with larger vehicles. Local officials are now renewing calls for defensive driving and heightened awareness, hoping to prevent future heartbreak.
In the days following the crash, the Spartanburg community has rallied to honor the memory of Goode and McElrath. A makeshift memorial has sprung up at the intersection of Highway 14 and Oak Grove Road, where flowers, candles, and handwritten notes now mark the site of the tragedy. Friends are planning a formal memorial ride, a tradition among motorcyclists to celebrate the lives of those lost on the road. The event is expected to draw riders from across the Upstate, a testament to the deep bonds forged within the tight-knit community.
As Spartanburg mourns, the loss of Bobby Goode and Sarah Brittany McElrath serves as a poignant reminder of the risks that come with the freedom of the open road. Their passion for riding brought them joy and connection, but it also exposed them to dangers that no amount of caution could fully mitigate. For now, the community holds tight to their memories, vowing to keep their spirits alive through shared stories, shared rides, and a renewed commitment to making South Carolina’s roads safer for all.
