“We’re all in shock and it’s completely unfathomable,” says Ryan Cheeseman, Nick’s brother.  “I don’t think anyone can ever predict this kind of tragedy,” he says.
Cheeseman died Thursday night in a crash in the area where the city limits of St.  Thomas meet Central Elgin.
OPP on scene said Cheeseman was traveling westbound on Elm Street when his motorcycle collided with an SUV making a left turn onto Coulter Avenue.
OPP say the crash remains under investigation.

St. Thomas Firefighter Nick Cheeseman was killed on July 28, 2022 in Central Elgin, Ont. when his motorcycle collided with an SUV. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) The 34-year-old — who would have turned 35 this week — was destined to become a firefighter. His grandfather and two of his uncles were firefighters in the greater Toronto area. “It’s definitely in our blood,” says Ryan. Four years ago, Cheeseman lived his dream when he was hired full-time at the St. Thomas. But his sudden death has upset the small section, as they consider him family. “It’s been a tough week,” says Dave Gregory, chief of the St. Louis Fire Department. Thomas. Funeral plans are underway, with the expectation that an honor guard will pay their respects en route to the service later this week. Gregory says it’s been hard to keep doing their jobs these past few days. “We have so much strength among the members, our club is good, and then we have so much support from the mayor to the city council, our CEO and the HR director,” says Gregory. “Everyone reaches out to us and gives us the strength to keep doing what we’re doing.” Nick Cheeseman was a four-year member of the St. Louis Fire Department. Thomas when he was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 28, 2022. (Source: Submitted) Ryan says his brother’s passions were family, firefighting and his bike. “He was an avid motorcycle rider and had planned a trip with my cousin in August,” says Ryan. “One thing I hope will come out of this is increased awareness of motorcycle safety and making sure people are aware of their surroundings.” An online fundraiser to help his widow Erica and five-month-old son Wyatt has already topped tens of thousands of dollars in just over 24 hours. “Words honestly cannot express how grateful we are for the support from the community, from our loved ones, from strangers, and from Nick’s colleagues and friends,” says Ryan. “It really puts a silver lining on this awful tragedy,” he adds. Ryan says he is doing everything he can to help his sister-in-law and nephew, which is why he started the fundraiser and is “staying strong” by speaking to the media during this difficult time. When asked how he would describe his brother and what he loved most about being a firefighter, Ryan told CTV News London, “Nick was an absolute hero.” “Nick would give you the shirt off his back and it was just his nature. He had a huge heart,” says Ryan.