New Milford man killed in Monroe motorcycle crash remembered
NEW MILFORD — As a toddler, Daniel Engstrom loved riding around on his battery-operated Jeep.
His family says he then graduated to bicycles, dirt bikes, cars and motorcycles, which he taught himself to work on, according to his obituary.
“Danny's energy and agility were assets as he diligently practiced parkour,” his obituary states. “He loved jumping and flipping on trampolines and would train on his backyard American Ninja Warrior training apparatus, with a dream of appearing on American Ninja Warrior one day.”
Engstrom, 21, died on April 23 in a motorcycle crash in Monroe. He was a graduate of New Milford High School in 2019.
“He was an excellent worker, quiet, hard working, very accomplished,” said Ed Burke, his manager at TLC Ultrasound, where Engstrom started working almost 2 1/2 years ago. He was up for a promotion soon, his boss said.
A memorial service will be held for him at noon on Saturday at the Congregational Church of New Fairfield. A Zoom link will be available at www.ccnf-ucc.org or call 203-746-2865.
His family couldn't be reached for comment. He left behind his mother and two brothers, in addition to other extended family.
Engstrom was traveling south on Route 111 in Monroe at 11:20 p.m. on April 22 when, for an “unknown reason,” he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a tree, Lt. Stephen Corrone said. He was transported to St. Vincent's Medical Center, and police were notified later that he died, Corrone said.
A helmet was found on scene, he said. The crash is still under investigation.
Engstrom's obituary describes him as a someone who enjoyed video games, hanging out with friends and his dogs, Mindi and Mork. He was “helpful to his family with tasks that needed to be done and loved working with his hands,” the obituary states.
He was similar to his father, Mats Engstrom, who died in December 2020.
“In many ways he was much like his father and truly had his sense of humor,” the obituary states. “His friends meant the world to him as you could always find them together.”
Engstrom quickly impressed his coworkers at TLC Ultrasound, where he worked as a transducer assembly technician.
“He was very helpful, very hard working,” said Alex Pezzuto, his colleague.
His coworkers said he had a good sense of humor.
“He had a good heart,” said Lorie Miller, the company's administrative assistant.
His job included the production and quality control testing for the probes the company makes. He also trained new employees. He was supposed to get a promotion and raise because he was “doing such a good job with our main customer,” Burke said.
“His loss deeply affected me,” Burke said. “It wasn't just an employee. He was my favorite here. He was a good kid.”
The family said memorial donations may be made to New Milford Animal Welfare Society or to the Congregational Church of New Fairfield.