Biker dies in big-rig crash

A motorcyclist from Seabrook died and his wife was injured when they collided with a big-rig in Galveston as thousands of bikers head to the island city for the Lone Star Rally this weekend.

Cody Frankum, 35, died in the collision about 11:30 p.m. Thursday on FM 3005 near 8-Mile Road, Galveston police said.

His wife, Carole Frankum, 25, was thrown from the motorcycle. She is in critical condition at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, police said.

They were in town for the rally, police said. The couple married earlier this year, according to posts on his Facebook account.

Witnesses told investigators the truck had pulled to the shoulder on the westbound side of the FM 3005 road while he waited for traffic to pass. He planned to turn onto southbound 8-Mile Road and needed extra room to make the turn. After about 15 minutes when the road appeared clear, he began turning, but the westbound motorcyclist struck the 18-wheeler’s trailer, said Sgt. Archie Chapman Jr., spokesman for the Galveston Police Department.

The roadway where the crash occurred has few street lights, Chapman said.

Chapman said several motorcyclists, presumably in Galveston for the rally, use the road where the crash occurred. Nearby campgrounds are used by the bikers who come to rally. Police are investigating the crash. No citations have been issued.

Crowds at the rally, which began on Thursday, are expected to reach 400,000.

Three years ago, a biker died when he lost control of his motorcycle and tumbled over the seawall without a helmet.

In 2011, three bikers died in three separate crashes.