Husband, Boy Remember Angel Stevens

Sioux Falls, SD

Angel Stevens would not settle for anything less than a Harley.

"I bought her a Suzuki and she didn't like it," Carl Stevens, Angel's husband, said.

The motorcycle is custom painted her signature color.

"She liked red," Carl said.

Angel, 43, was proudly showing off her Harley at a Salvation Army car show in Sioux Falls on Sunday before she was killed in a van crash.  Police say Lois Two Bulls, 47, was behind the wheel when she drove through a parking lot and across a street, hitting three pedestrians just before 6 p.m.  Angel was pinned between the van and a tree.  Skyler Burchardi, 13, was standing next to Angel and her husband, while he was looking at her motorcycle.

"All of a sudden I heard Angel yell, I seen her hands.  This way.  I ended up laying -- it was a big van that just smashed us," Carl said.

Several people at the scene, including Carl, tried to move the van to free Angel.

"I just kept holding her and telling her I love her.  She just looked at me and I said 'I love you,' and that was it," Carl said.

Carl has a few minor injuries, but is healing.  The hospital released 13-year-old Skyler Burchardi, who has a broken pelvis, jaw and concussion.  Witnesses say Angel pushed Skyler out of the way, saving his life.  Carl is not surprised that the woman who loved her son, family, dog and people in general, would give up her life for someone else.

"We're going to miss her.  We're going to miss her a lot," Carl said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Skyler and his family stopped by the crash site -- now a memorial, to say thank you.

"She's a big angel who saved my life," Skyler said.

Skyler still does not remember much from the crash

"I did see the van.  It was speeding and came and hit this tree and I got thrown over here," Skyler said. 

Jason Walls, Skyler's stepfather, said the boy would not be here if it were not for the woman who gave up her own life to save him.

"We just want to say to Carl and his family, you are in our hearts forever. Our prayers.  We're thinking of you at this time.  We're thankful for what you've done for us.  What your wife did," Walls said.

Two Bulls's defense attorney said she has a seizure disorder, but it has not been determined whether that was a factor in the crash. Two Bulls told police she does not remember the crash. She has been charged with second degree manslaughter and driving without a license or insurance. 

Two funds are set up to help the Stevens family.  A memorial account is established at all First Premier Banks in Sioux Falls; donations can be made to the "Angel Stevens Benefit Account."  A GoFundMe site is also accepting donations. 

Looking at her red motorcycle, Carl says he plans on putting an angel sticker in memory of his wife.  He said it is the least he can do to honor the woman who lived up to her name.

"I don't want her to be forgotten.  I loved her very much."

• Sioux Falls, SD

• {{Title}} [x]

Add

or, Select from existing

Opening existing...

Close existing

Most popular communities

Click to select:

Show all215Communities Show only most popular

Opening all...

• {{Title}} ({{ItemsCount}})