Dozens of bikers came together on Sunday afternoon for the 3rd Annual Phoebe Johnchuck Memorial Ride.

  • Phoebe Johnchuck was killed in January 2015
  • Investigators say her father threw her off the Skyway
  • Her death had a profound impact on the community, including lawmakers

While many of the participants never even met the 5-year-old girl, it didn't stop them from coming out to honor her memory. Pheobe was killed in January 2015 after police say her father threw her off a part of the Sunshine Skyway bridge.

"It's something that makes you feel good at the end of day, you know," said event organizer Jeff Richard. "Celebrating the life basically of the little girl, for three years now."

Phoebe's grandmother Michele Johnchuck joined the ride for the first time. She said she hasn't been back to the bridge since the day her granddaughter died. On Sunday, with hearts and a cross in Phoebe's favorite colors, she was ready to ride.

"It kind of has me nervous," she said, "but it's not going to be sad, because I know it's something for her. She wouldn't want to see me sad today, she'd want to see me happy."

The over 50 bikers took off from Wild Willys in Largo Sunday. They didn't stop until they reached the edge of the bay by the Sunshine Skyway.

Many of the participants were moved to tears as they pulled flowers from a pickup truck and tossed them into the water, all in Phoebe's memory.

Then they returned to Wild Willys for a benefit party. All of the money raised at the event went directly to a scholarship that's in Pheobe's name. Her grandmother says it was fitting, because Pheobe loved to go to school.

Her father, John Johnchuck, has a long history of mental illness. Earlier this year, a doctor confirmed he is now competent to stand trial.