Convicted felon turns life around before fatal motorcycle crash

Berry Selph, 24, died after plummeting over exit ramp onto highway

DAVIE, Fla. – Just three days before the horrific accident that would take his life, 24-year-old Berry Selph posted a picture of his brand-new motorcycle on Instagram.

A friend commented on the post Wednesday, saying "Bike in peace."

Selph was traveling westbound on the Interstate 595 exit ramp to the southbound Turnpike Wednesday, when the motorcycle failed to negotiate the curve. He struck the concrete wall, and was ejected from the motorcycle and plummeted over the wall, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Through his other social media posts, it's clear Selph was a man in transition -- posting photos of his Department of Corrections badge and a driver's license. "From this to that," he wrote.

Selph had served time behind bars for burglary and grand theft.  His grandmother, Beverly Shaefer, told Local 10 News reporter Christina Vazquez that he wanted to make good on life now that he was out of jail.

She said he attended Broward College and was interested in hospitality. At night he worked at Duffy's Sports Grill in Plantation as a food runner.

Shaefer said he was a man who had owned up to his past and was charting a future with optimism. She said, unfortunately many young people think they are invincible.

"They need to know they are not invincible," Shaefer said. "Everybody is dispensable so to speak. It is really a shame that at a young age you have to learn the hard way and this is the hardest way to learn."

She said before Selph died, she told him "You are a little bit late in making some of these decisions, but at least now you made them, and now you are heading in the right direction."

"All I can say to young people -- I see them on motorcycles sometimes, zipping in and out of traffic --  the only thing you have going for you right now is that God's protecting you, but one of these days God will blink and it's going to be the end for you if you don't take care now," added Shaefer.

Follow Christina Vazquez on Twitter @VazquezReports

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.