"Our mothers were friends since high school. Derek and I knew each other since early childhood. Our family moved from So. Calif. to Clovis in 1980 to be near his family. We were very good friends, doing everything from celebrating all holidays and birthdays together, to riding BMX bikes, motorcycles and fishing. He was an accomplished bowler and a very good pitcher. He loved hard rock and heavy metal. He died mother's day weekend, when he and his brother, David, were riding in a friends' car, coming home one night. I don't recall all the details, but Derek and his brother both left the scene after the car had been struck, in an attempt to get help. Derek collapsed. David made it to the hospital, though he was severely injured and survived. Derek did not. His date of birth was December 8, 1966."  Scott Clark