Motorcyclist Russ Neis Killed in Blue Ridge TX Accident

BLUE RIDGE, TX (12/13/2014) — 49-year-old Russell "Russ" Neis was tragically killed in a 4-vehicle accident on Saturday while delivering toys to needy kids.
UPDATE 12/11/2015: Charges against Lacie Pardun have been upgraded to manslaughter. Her trial date is set for March 14, 2016.

According to reports, Russ Neis (of McKinney) and several others from the Guardians of Grace chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association were on their way to deliver toys to Kings Trail Cowboy Church for Whitewright's "Project Christmas" when the motorcycle accident occurred.
According to the DPS, Neis was traveling in the northbound lanes of State Highway 78, when an accident in the southbound lanes sent a car spinning into oncoming traffic, striking Mr. Neis' Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The accident began when the driver of a Chevy Blazer (31-year-old Lacie Dee Pardun, of Rowlett) crashed into the rear of another car as it was attempting to turn off the highway, causing it to spin out into the northbound lanes and strike Neis head-on. An initial report by Texas state troopers suggests that Pardun "failed to control the speed of her SUV."
Russ Neis was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Lacie Pardun, the driver of the SUV that initially caused the crash, was taken to Medical Center of McKinney where she remains hospitalized. The Department of Public Safety says that there is a chance she may face charges, but that won't be determined until she's released from the hospital.
Russ Neis leaves behind a wife and two teenage children. His wife was also recently diagnosed with hemolytic anemia (a condition that affects healthy blood cells).
A fund has been set up for the Neis family. Donations can be sent to:
Anthony and Samantha Neis Education Fund c/o Bank of America
McKinney, TX 75071.
Donations can also be sent via PayPal (Merchant #5TS4X4FDE57YC).