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Community remembers local biker and UCSB alum after passing

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July 24, 2026 at 5:48 pm

Twenty-two-year-old UC Santa Barbara alum Dylan Monson died in a crash on June 29 while riding his BMW S1000RR on northbound Highway 101 in Goleta, just past the Storke Road off-ramp. Monson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication earlier that month.

A photo of Dylan Monson. Courtesy of Carson Osborn

News of Monson’s passing came as a shock to those who knew him, many of whom he met through Santa Barbara’s motorcycle scene. According to Monson’s friend and recent graduate who majored in communication, Carson Osborn, he was well known and liked among both UCSB and local bikers. 

“People had feuds, people had problems, but he was one of the few in that 40 [person] plus biker community where nobody had problems with [and] everybody liked him,” Osborn said.

Beyond describing Monson as “a big cuddly bear,” Osborn also believed his late friend influenced and touched many people’s souls. 

“If someone wrongs you, he’ll be the first to step up to defend you,” Osborn said. “He’ll go through hell and high water just to help you out.”

Dylan Monson walking the stage at the communication department graduation. Courtesy of Carson Osborn

Fourth-year communication major Thomas Henry, also a friend of Monson, recalled that he often recognized people by their motorcycles when they rode by.

“Its clear to see that he was definitely in tune with most of the people around here,” Henry said.

Those who knew Monson left flowers at a roadside memorial near the crash site.

Osborn noted that Monson worked as an EMT and planned to “continue his legacy of helping people out” by becoming a paramedic.

Courtesy of Carson Osborn

Osborn described Monson as a “wrench monkey,” or someone who frequently worked on his and others’ motorcycles. Henry said that Monson once drove a friend “on a dime” to San Diego to pick up a bike.

“He’s just that type of guy,” Henry said. “If you ask something of him, he’d be there to do it for you.”

Osborn and Henry agreed that Monson will be missed. 

“I’ve been past his memorial and just the amount of outpour, the amount of flowers, all the candles, all the memories people had with him; it’s really clear that, not only was he super prevalent in the group we were in, but he was all around,” Henry said.

Levi Kauffman

Levi Kauffman (he/him) is the County News Editor for the 2025-2026 school year. Previously, Kauffman was an Assistant News Editor, as well as a Staff Writer for the 2024-2025 school year. He can be reached at levikauffman@dailynexus.com or news@dailynexus.com.
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VernonnPerkinsd
VernonnPerkinsd
13 days ago

It’s always heartbreaking to hear about a young person with so much potential passing away so suddenly. Dylan’s recent graduation and passion for riding show a life that was full of goals, energy, and experiences. Moments like this remind us how important it is to appreciate the people around us and the memories they leave behind. Sending thoughts to his family, friends, and everyone in the community who knew him. After reading emotional stories like this, many people look for lighter ways to unwind, including online entertainment such as Chicken Road Demo.

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8 days ago

It’s always touching to hear how someone is remembered by the people around them. The fact that Dylan was so well liked and always willing to stand up for his friends says a lot about the kind of person he was. It’s a heartbreaking loss for his family, friends, and the local biking community. For something completely unrelated, I also came across https://spin-maya.bet/.