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New Haven County resident Travis LaRowe, age 22, of Naugatuck, was killed during the crash around 8:30 p.m., Friday, June 16, at 848 New Haven Road in Naugatuck.
According to Sgt. D. Durette of the Naugatuck Police, LaRowe was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle, along with two other motorcycle riders when he was hit.
An investigation indicates a 76-year-old Naugatuck woman was traveling southbound on New Haven Road when her vehicle sideswiped another car and struck two of the motorcycles in the northbound lane, Durette said.
A third motorcycle crashed while taking evasive action to avoid the collision.
LaRowe was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The operator of another motorcycle, Javier Vazquez, age 19, of Naugatuck transported to the hospital where he is in critical but stable condition. The operator of the third motorcycle, Jason Vazquez, age 20, was transported to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries, Durette added.
Following the crash, family and friends held a candlelight vigil to honor LaRowe as others donated to a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs.
"Our family will never come to grips with this loss and are terribly sad about his passing," said GoFundMe organizer Frank Lee. "We sincerely need assistance, to give this young man a proper farewell for his mother, Valerie, his father, Raymond, his siblings, family, and friends."
LaRowe loved music and was a drummer as well as a singer, Lee said.
"The way this man played those drums made it look so easy, but no one could play them as he did," he added. "He also loved his motorcycle. That motorcycle was his life. His love for cruising bought him peace and he gained an incredible amount of friends while doing so."
Lee described Travis as the kind of guy you can talk to for only 30 seconds and you just knew he was a genuine type of dude.
"He was a very humble guy that we all wanted to center ourselves around," Lee wrote.
To date, the fundraiser has raised $16,000 of a $25,000 goal.
The investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing which will include a technical reconstruction, police said.
No enforcement action has been taken at this time, however, any witnesses to the collision or persons with information regarding this investigation are asked to contact lead investigator, Officer Elvis Vasquez at 203-729-5221.
To donate to the GoFundMe click here.
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