Community Corner

Ravens Cheerleader Killed in Accident an 'Inspiration'

A new member of the Baltimore Ravens co-ed stunt team killed in a motorcycle accident in Frederick on Friday, Dion Bagby was an inspirational coach and passionate person, according to fans.

His smile, spirit and passion were among the qualities that fans on social media say they remember.

Dion Bagby, a cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens, was on his way to Camp Woodward in Pennsylvania to work with athletes for the last day of a week-long camp on Friday when he was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Upon hearing the news, Ravens fans took to social media to express condolences for the 27-year-old who recently joined the Baltimore Ravens co-ed stunt team.

"Dion Bagby was someone I really looked up to in the cheer world and he became a part of cheer family last summer. Prayers to his family," fan Airian Holland tweeted, which was retweeted by fellow Ravens stunt team member Henry Mack III.

An Oklahoma native and a cheerleader at the University of Louisville, Bagby was a coach for about 100 kids at the Infinity All Stars gym, according to the Sun.

"Devastated! Dion was an inspiration to many athletes. Sending prayers to his family and friends," Fairfax resident Malana Kalid wrote on the Infinity All-Stars' Facebook page.

Bagby, of Vienna, VA, was killed on Friday morning on Route 15 near Frederick, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Bagby was driving a Suzuki motorcycle and struck the passenger side of a Volkswagen Jetta driven by Amy Sue Harrison, of Thurmont, as she was making a left-hand turn onto Monocacy Boulevard, the Sun reports. Bagby was pronounced dead on the scene.

Harrison was not seriously injured, according to Vienna Patch. No charges were filed Saturday. The crash was under investigation, police said.

On Saturday, Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith reacted to the news of Bagby's death.

"RIP Dion Bagby ...prayers up for his family and our cheer family," Smith tweeted.

Plans were being made for a memorial service and members of the Ravens organization expressed an interest in attending, gym owner Brad Palmer told the Sun.

"This is such sad news and the entire Ravens family is in mourning," Kevin Byrne, a representative for the Ravens, said in a statement.

Bagby was selected to be part of the Ravens' co-ed stunt team after tryouts in March, the Sun states.

"This is news we wish we never have to send out to our Infinity family, but we believe it is important to let all who have been influenced by Dion and his amazing, charismatic spirit remember him," a statement said on the Infinity gym Facebook page.

The gym closed this past weekend but opened its doors from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdayand Sunday "for our family to come together as we remember the life and gifts that our dear coach and friend brought to our lives," according to its Facebook page.

About 100 mourners visited the Infinity gym Saturday and an additional 125 came Sunday, Palmer told the Sun.

"Infectious. That's the word that keeps coming up," Palmer told the Sun of Bagby. "His spirit, his joy, his passion. It was infectious."


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