Veteran killed by alleged drunk driver on New Year's Eve, hours after touching Facebook post

SEMINOLE (FOX13) - Just hours after posting on Facebook his hopes for 2016, a veteran died in a motorcycle crash that troopers say was caused by a drunk driver. 

The crash happened on Thursday night at County Road 296 and 97th Street in Seminole. Troopers say 59-year-old Steven Clarke was drunk behind the wheel of his car when he failed to yield and turned into the path of 31-year-old Matthew DeRemer's motorcycle. DeRemer died at the scene.

In DeRemer's last post on Facebook, he reflects on the obstacles he overcame in 2015. "I've lost, I've gained, family is closer and tougher than ever before, loved ones lost, and new friends found," he said. "There has been many times where I've been found on my knees in prayer for hours (relentless) and other times leading a group of people in prayer, my faith (that I love to share) is an everyday awakening (to me) that people, lives, and circumstances can change for the better OVER TIME."

But it was his final thought on the Facebook post that was the most chilling. "I really don't know where I'll end up tonight but I do know where I windup is where I'm meant to be," he said.

Friends set up a roadside memorial for DeRemer at the intersection where the accident happened. They say DeRemer was a Marine and he had just gotten a job in the medical field. He was also in a Christian motorcycle club.

"He was awesome. No words can describe how he was. How full of energy he was. He was just a ray of sunshine," said Neysa Shilling.

Shilling finds some comfort in the fact that DeRemer's last Facebook post seemed to demonstrate his connection to God. The photo posted along with his reflections say, in part, "We are born in one day. We die in one day."

​"Words can not express what he wrote. Like it was to the point of what was going to happen to him and it's incredible. His tattoo on his forearm you know John 14:12 that he's gonna be with the Father and I know that's where he's at. My angel has wings now," said Shilling.

Clarke is charged with DUI manslaughter and has since bonded out of jail.