Memorial for Alexis Smith and Codi Alexander - Gaithersburg MD
N 39° 06.462 W 077° 12.589
18S E 308928 N 4331053
This memorial appeared in the early days of January 2010. It is a memorial for Alexis Smith and Codi Alexander, two young girls each victims of a traffic accident at this location.
**These bicycles are no longer here.**
Waymark Code: WM83WW
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 01/22/2010
Views: 11
These bicycles survived the blizzards of 2010 but are no longer in place at this exit ramp.
** This is a busy intersection with no nearby parking. **
** Please use great care if you visit. **
I had never heard of ghost bikes before except as a Waymarking category. In recent weeks, I've come across two separate sites.
In early January 2010, these ghost bikes appeared at a crosswalk on a off-ramp of Great Seneca Highway in Gaithersburg, Maryland. They immediately caught my attention because a few months earlier I had seen the aftermath of a traffic accident at this same spot. The unknown victim or victims had already been transported away but there was a crushed bicycle at the scene. A few days later, I learned that the victim was the daughter of an acquaintance. Codi Nicole Alexander was a lovely 16 year old girl who was very active in her school and church. She was greatly admired for her enthusiasm and kindness, and was grieved by many.
When the ghost bicycles appeared, a story was written up about them in a local newspaper. The bicycles were placed by Ellie Smith whose daughter Alexis Diane Smith was also killed at the this same location in June 1997. The memorial was placed on January 8 which would have been Alexis' 28th birthday.
The bicycles are on Great Seneca Highway on the eastbound ramp to Sam Eig Highway. This sidewalk is used by many leisure and commuter cyclists. The memorial should be a reminder to both cyclists and motorists to use care and share the road safely.
A photo is not not required for a visit in the interest of safety. Instead offer a kind thought or prayer.
Age of victim: 16
Name of the victim: Alexis Diane Smith and Codi Nicole Alexander
Date of the accident: 08/05/2009
Accident resulted in a fatality: yes
News Article Web Page: [Web Link]
Memorial Web Page: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
It is preferable to log the location if the ghost bike is still there. If you want to note any personal experiences around bike safety you are welcome to do so, or provide a memorial for the victim.