The investigation into the death of an 18-year-old Watertown man continues, as the victim’s family and friends prepare for his funeral on Saturday.
According to a release from Belmont police, the teenager, identified by family and friends as Luke Currier, was riding a moped along Trapelo Road on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
State and local officials are investigating a fatal crash at the intersection of Stults Road and Fairview Avenue just before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The rider allegedly failed to stop for police, continuing down Belmont Street before turning onto Stults Road, where he collided with a Honda CR-V traveling on Fairview Avenue. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Since that day, a group of his friends has gathered at the accident scene, seeking mutual support and comfort.
Ashley Rivera met Currier online and the two began dating in July.
“He was so sweet and caring,” she said. “He was so loved by everybody; no one had a bad thing to say about him.”
Shane Robson, who lived near Currier in Billerica, said he was heading to a trade program near Alewife when the accident happened.
“He was studying a trade, trying to make a better life for himself,” Robson said.
According to Robson, Currier owned a landscaping business in Watertown, where he lived with his father.
“This is just all of his friends being together to support each other,” said Rivera. “It’s what he would have wanted.”
“It’s just hard,” said Jaiden Lashus. “Trying to take it a day at a time, but it’s not easy.”
The comments of his friends reflect the theme of his obituary.
“Whether he was fishing, playing football, or hanging out at the river with his brother and friends, Luke had a gift for making people feel included and he gave his love freely, every single day,” it reads.
The family has started a GoFundMe page to defray expenses. A funeral is planned for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brown & Hickey Funeral Home in Belmont.
An investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Belmont Police, Massachusetts State Police Collision Reconstruction Section and Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section is ongoing.
On Wednesday, interim Belmont Police Chief Mark Hurley declined further comment because the crash is under investigation.
