Family struggles with death of husband/father in crash of
headlight-less motorcycle
Gilroy – Jim Denniston loved riding motorcycles.
The 39-year-old father of two was mere blocks from his Gilroy home Friday evening when he drove his headlight-less 1987 Kawasaki motorcycle straight into a Land Cruiser.
He died at the scene. The accident was so close to home that the Denniston children heard the crash but they didn’t rush to the scene.
“I didn’t want to think that it was him,” said Karen Denniston, who was married to Jim for 17 years.
It wasn’t until a few hours later that Denniston learned of her husband’s death.
Denniston said her husband had removed the headlight when he bought the bike because he likes to race them and it got in the way. The driver who hit him said he swerved to avoid the motorcycle but it was too late, according to a police report.
“He lived for speed,” she said. “I kept on telling him to slow down.”
The tragic accident not only leaves Denniston a widow and her two children without a father, but also without the means to get by. The Dennistons were living paycheck-to-paycheck before the accident and he had no life insurance.
He was working as a landscaper at the time of his death. She makes about $11 an hour as a food service employee at South Valley Middle School.
She has to pay $1,200 a month in rent, plus $260 for propane. Their PG&E and water is covered by the landlord.
Factor in funeral costs, groceries, car insurance and daily life and it’s evident the moneys just not there.
“I’m screwed,” said Denniston. “The sad part is people ask me what I’m going to do with my future.”
And Denniston said she has no idea what to do. The couple have an 8-year-old boy and 16-year-old daughter.
The family does have some hope. Denniston’s daughter’s friend announced their tragedy on a San Jose radio station’s Christmas wish program. So far Denniston said she thinks the radio station has collected about $2,300.
Also, the Dennistons have an extended family at Gilroy’s Foothills Foursquare Church where they’ve been attending for more than 10 years, said the Rev. Mark Stewart.
“They’re in a tough sport because evidently Jim didn’t have any insurance,” Stewart said. “It’s heartbreaking, it is just heartbreaking.”
The church is collecting donations.
“We’ll make sure they get every penny,” Stewart said.
Also, an account has been set up for the family at Washington Mutual Bank.
Services will take place 2pm on Tuesday a Foothills Foursquare Church.
Donations can either be sent or dropped off at 8335 Church St., or contact Foothills at 848-3100. Make the checks out to Foothills Church, in care of Denniston Family. The Washington Mutual account number is 1882197297.
