Cary Tensing Sojourn Jaquish
July 12, 1976 - June 28, 2009

Cherished son, gifted musician, devoted friend
and a
Brit Iron Rebel

Cary had been around motorbikes most of his life, but had ridden very little during his earlier years. It wasn’t until around 2002 that he bought his first Triumph… a 1968 Bonneville.

In the following months he rode it a lot. Getting used to kick starting, leaking cases and the usual temperament of a Vintage British motorbike. After working locally in Cincinnati between selling music equipment and playing gigs at night, the top end went. After which, Cary had the motor rebuilt, he replaced the seat, and had the tank repainted by the Triumph Guy.

In 2004 Cary had auditioned for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Well he got the gig and started traveling. Originally Cary had planned on riding the 68, but finally decided that wasn’t going to work. He continued to ride the train and use the shuttle or drove his VW. So, in 2006 he purchased a new T-100 Bonneville, to take on riding cross country.

While traveling with the Circus, Cary would regularly meet up with many members. Sometimes, it would be for Beers and Burritos, other times it would be Breakfast and a quick ride. Overall, that was his general routine. 

After riding the T-100 a couple of years, Cary decided that he needed a more comfortable motorbike for long rides. This time it was 2008 Harley Davidson Road King. Cary still rode his T-100 on shorter trips and kept it with him on Tour. Cary had been with the Circus band for 5 years this past year. The Circus crosses the United States each year playing more than 450 shows a year.

June 28, 2009 – The Accident:

Cary’s Sunday in Phoenix started out like many other days on other Circus stops. This Sunday was no different; Cary met up with the Arizona Clan. They had breakfast, and a brief ride. Then it was back to the Circus, two shows, and on to Fresno. Cary was all packed up, as was his habit, so that after the show he got on his Road King, and his fiancé Jessie got in her car to follow him and off they went. As they headed West on I-10, Jessie stopped for gas so she was about 15 minutes behind Cary.  At 8:15 Phoenix time everything went wrong.

The fact that everybody had limited visibility in the darkness was a factor in the accident. Cary was between two cars traveling together in the right-hand lane. A father drove the first car and his son was driving the car behind Cary. Both cars were carrying Girl Scouts home. As is often the case out west where the heat takes a toll on truck re-treads, there was a very large piece of tire debris, perhaps the whole tire, in the road and the father chose to straddle it with his car. As he looked in his rearview mirror to check on his son, he saw Cary. Cary had no chance to avoid the debris.

Immediately many people came to Cary’s aid. Two truckers used their trucks to blockade the road to protect Cary. An off-duty EMT, and a doctor were there to immediately help resuscitate Cary. People stopped and comforted Cary, talking to him, telling him to hang on. Although the doctor found a strong heartbeat, Cary was not breathing. Cary had landed about 100 feet from his bike. He landed headfirst on his left side with enough force to crack and split the full-face helmet that he was wearing at the time. When the helmet was recovered, the chinstrap was still fastened. The doctor and emergency workers tried to revive Cary for over 40 minutes, until he was finally flown out to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix where he was pronounced dead.

When Jessie caught up and saw the accident, she knew it was Cary’s motorcycle because of the distinctive white-wall tires, but was unable to stop. She exited the expressway, called the band director who was behind her driving a trailer with other motorcycles belonging to circus performers including Cary’s Triumph, and they drove back to the accident. They arrived as the air-care helicopter was taking off. They were told to go to the hospital, but didn’t know at the time how badly he was hurt. Arriving at the hospital, they were told Cary had died.

An eyewitness who lives in Buckeye, Arizona where the accident actually occurred (mile marker 120.1 West I-10), Corina Florez, talked to them about what she had seen. She emphasized how many people stopped and tried to help and comfort Cary. She described the people standing in a circle around him comforting him, and how at one point he tried to sit up, but then stopped moving. He was at peace, not in pain or scared. This was of some comfort to Pete and Kathy. They talked to as many people as possible so as to get all the information they could about the accident.

He was wearing leather boots, protective gloves and jacket, as well as a full-face helmet—which others sometimes kidded him about, but he didn’t care. Even though he had been riding bikes for some time, a few years ago Cary went through a riding safety course, and had several books that took drivers through safety drills. He took no chances, however; in the dark, being hit by a large piece of debris, there was nothing he could do. Sadly enough, Jessie told Pete and Kathy that just a couple of days before the accident, Cary had been complaining about all the tire debris on the roads; sometimes whole retreads.

The Circus payed tribute to Cary the next wednesday night they opened in Fresno. His T-100 was put in the center of the area with white roses and his picture. At the end of a moment of silence, the band director started it up and drove around the arena once and then exited.

Cary particularly enjoyed the enthusiasm and friendships that were forged with each of us throughout his journeys.

We celebrate the life of Cary Tensing Sojourn Jaquish

Rest in Peace

Top photograph courtesy of Diane Koskie.
Other photographs courtesy of Pete and Kathy Jaquish
Words courtesy of Pete and Kathy Jaquish, Christopher ‘Toro’ Meyer