Newlywed watches crash kill her husband

A new wife trailing her husband's motorcycle as they returned from a weekend celebrating their marriage watched as he was killed Monday in a collision in Newaygo County.

Michael Pokora, 42, died when a car crossed the center line and struck him, police said. It also caused his wife, Deb Pokora, to lose control of her motorcycle, said John Pokora, the victim's father.

Deb Pokora had minor injuries, and now is dealing with the trauma of losing her husband of two days. The couple married Saturday and spent the weekend at a White Cloud bed and breakfast.

"She was slightly behind him and saw the car cross into their lane, and there wasn't time for Mike to really do anything," John Pokora said. " ... We don't really know what happened, why he drove that way.

Both swerved and were thrown from their bikes, police said.

Michael Pokora was a 20-year Navy veteran, retiring in 2002 as a senior chief petty officer. He entered the service after high school and worked in nuclear electronics, his father said.

In addition to his wife, Pokora is survived by three teenagers from a previous marriage. Two are students at Comstock Park High School.
Funeral arrangements were pending.

This is really tragic. Article here.