A motorcycle accident Wednesday night claimed the life of a woman recognized statewide as one of Texas’ most dedicated advocates for children.

Children’s Protective Services investigator Michelle Parsons handled thousands of cases in Galveston County and donated as many hours to area charities and nonprofit groups.

“She was the best; she really was. I know people say that, but she really was – just incredibly thorough, passionate and dedicated,” said Trudy Davis, executive director of the Advocacy Center for Children of Galveston County.

Parsons was riding her motorcycle about 10 p.m. Wednesday night. She was northbound on Calder Road, when another vehicle, headed south, made a left turn in front of her.

The two vehicles collided, throwing Parsons from her motorcycle. An EMS crew transported her to a Houston hospital. Parsons was wearing her helmet, but sustained injuries doctors there could not treat, and she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

“It just goes to show, the best of us are the ones who go first,” said Tim Cromie, Dickinson police’s lead detective for crimes against kids, who worked with Parsons on dozens of cases.

As people who worked with her regularly talked about Parsons on Thursday, they often briefly paused to brush away tears or clear their throats. In their comments, one theme repeated itself more than any other — Michelle Parsons enjoyed helping children overcome the fears brought by abuse.

“I can’t even put into words how big a hole this leaves,” said CPS spokeswoman Gwen Carter. “She was such a wonderful caseworker, but even more, just a great person. She had such a passion to help people.”

Parsons in 2004 was named the CPS statewide Caseworker of the Year.

Advocacy center forensic interviewer Carmen Crabtree said Parsons was often doing her job, even when she was not at work.

“She volunteered for us, worked with family-shelter projects, anything she could do to help out kids who needed it,” Crabtree said.

“She was so good at what she did, and she loved it so much,” Assistant District Attorney Xochitl Vandiver said. “I don’t know what else to say.”

No charges had been filed in the crash Thursday.