Police release name of motorcyclist fatally injured in Rockland collision
By John P. Kelly
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Aug 20, 2009 @ 02:21 AM
ROCKLAND —
Nick Barros, a 29-year-old sprinkler fitter, knocked off work early on Tuesday and started up his motorcycle for an afternoon ride.
As Barros cruised down West Water Street, a 1997 Saturn was going the other way. It’s driver, Jonathan J. Whittall, 19, was headed for his girlfriend’s house.
Rockland police say Whittall, attempting to make a left turn into a driveway, veered across Barros’ path. In the resulting collision, Barros was thrown from the motorcycle and critically injured. He later died at South Shore Hospital.
Whittall, of 555 Webster St., Rockland, has been charged with motor vehicle homicide and cited for failure to yield to oncoming traffic while making a left turn, according to a press release from the Rockland Police Department.
The accident occurred at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. Police waited until Wednesday afternoon to release the operators’ names so that Barros’ wife and family could be notified first.
Barros, who grew up in Weymouth, had worked for about eight years at Mass Fire Prevention Inc., a Rockland company that installs fire sprinkler systems.
John Gannon, the company’s president, said Barros oversaw a small crew that installed sprinkler systems in day care centers, rooming houses and office buildings around the state. Gannon said Barros was a top-performing apprentice, a talented worker who was among the youngest sprinkler journeymen in the state when he was hired.
“We’re a 12-man company ... and real tight-knit,” Gannon said. “He is going to be sorely missed – and irreplaceable.”
Ron Lazisky, a field supervisor for the company, said he had been friends with Barros since childhood. Several weeks ago, they each bought motorcycles and spent recent weekends participating in charity rides. The motorcycle Barros bought was a 2005 Yamaha.
“He was the best man in my wedding,” Lazisky, 32, said. “We all loved him.”
Lazisky said Barros and his wife, Danielle, moved from Taunton to Rockland earlier this year and wanted to buy a home in town. In the meantime, the couple had been staying at 54 Highland St. with Barros’ relatives.
“Nick was a wonderful, wonderful person,” said Johanna Spry, who lives at the home. “Everyone is just devastated.”
Peter Chernick of the Rockland Police Department, an accident reconstruction officer, is investigating the crash.
Whittal could not be reached for comment.
Teresa L. Martin of 495 Water St. said Whittal is her daughter’s boyfriend and was pulling into her driveway when the accident occurred.
Motorcyclist dies in Rockland accident
A 29-year-old motorcyclist is dead and a 19-year-old has been charged with motor vehicle homicide after an accident Tuesday on West Water Street in Rockland.
The 19-year-old was driving his 1997 Saturn east on West Water Street trying to turn left when he struck the 29-year-old on his 2005 Yamaha motorcycle at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to Rockland police.
The motorcyclist was taken to South Shore Medical Center with severe injuries and later died, according to Rockland police and fire.
Rockland police are waiting to release the names of those involved until families are notified.
The 19-year-old, who was unhurt in the accident, also is being charged with failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
Rockland police and fire responded to a fatal crash at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on West Water Street.
Preliminary reports suggested that a motorcyclist and a UPS truck collided, and the driver of the motorcycle died from injuries sustained during the crash.
Interim fire chief Robert DiPoli said he did not know the name, age or hometown of the deceased male motorcyclist.
“I believe he expired, at South Shore Hospital,” DiPoli said two hours following the accident. “He was in very very bad condition when we found him on the street.”
When he arrived, DiPoli said a UPS truck was parked on the street near the motorcyclist.
“The Rockland fire fighters treated the gentlemen and transported him to south shore hospital. The guys did an admirable job trying to save him, but apparently the injuries were too drastic to overcome.”
More updates will follow as this story progresses...
