‘EPITOME OF A NICE PERSON’
Community gathers to remember New Milford man killed in motorcycle crash
NEW MILFORD — Whenever Lindsay Karasz thinks of her late friend and former colleague Brandon Forlastro, she’ll remember his smile.
“He always had a smile on his face, no matter what situation it was,” said Karasz, a Kent resident. “He looked on the brighter side of things. He always had his head up. He was just a good kid. He never went out partying or drinking. It’s sad.”
Forlastro, a New Milford resident who turned 22 on Sunday, was killed and his passenger critically injured in the Sunday morning’s crash on Route 7. On Monday, police said the female passenger was Brianna Medina.
Friends said Medina, a New Milford resident, was Forlastro’s girlfriend.
The crash happened in the area of 254 Danbury Road when a motorcycle traveling south on Danbury Road struck a pick-up truck turning west into a parking lot, police said.
Forlastro, the motorcycle operator, was pronounced dead at the scene and Medina was transported to Danbury Hospital in critical condition, according to authorities. On Monday, the state medical examiner said Forlastro died from a “blunt injury of head accident.”
Forlastro’s friends planned to hold a candlelight vigil for him at 8 p.m. Monday, across the street from where he died, near what’s called the “New Milly’s Smoke Shop” — Royale Tobacco & Convenience on 243 Danbury Road, next to the Windmill Diner.
Friends of Forlastro and Medina are raising money to help with medical assistance for Medina and memorial and funeral services for Forlastro. Within three hours of the post of the fundraiser,
nearly $9,000 was raised by more than 100 people.
Forlastro, who previously lived in Danbury and graduated from Danbury High School, was very active in Tuned Society, a car club in the New Milford and Danbury area, Karasz said.
“He was very well known in the bike and car community,” said Karasz worked with Forlastro for about eight months at MAX BMW in New Milford, where he was a parts adviser.
Alex Brown, another friend, said Forlastro was a “smart, ambitious, great kid. (He) had a lot of life and love in him — a great friend, great mechanic, great person overall — will be greatly missed.”
Andrew Brown of Brookfield, who used to work with Forlastro at MAX BMW, said Forlastro was the “epitome of a nice person.”
“I don’t think I ever once saw him upset or angry,” Brown said. “He was just a well mannered young gentleman who had a passion in motor sports and enjoyed being around like minded people.”
Brookfield resident Nancy Nieves, Forlastro’s Realtor, said she found him and his girlfriend their first home.
“She and Brandon were each other’s best friend,” Nieves said.
She said the families seeks privacy at this time.
The crash remains under investigation with investigators seeking witnesses, but police say it appears at this time that speed may have been a factor in the collision.
Anyone with information is asked to contact New Milford Police Officer Petersen at 860-355-3133 or dpetersen@ newmilfordpolice.org.