The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘EMS was his life’
Kent EMT killed in Torrington motorcycle crash
TORRINGTON — A Kent EMT has been identified as the man killed in a motorcycle crash this week on his way home from the fire department.
Police on Wednesday identified the rider as Torrington resident Christopher Smith, 53. Police believe Smith was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle east on Route 202 when the bike collided with an SUV that was turning left.
In a Facebook post Wednesday evening, the Kent Volunteer Fire Department said members were “stunned and saddened by the news that one of our contracted EMTs, Chris Smith, tragically died in a motorcycle accident on his way home from work at our firehouse Tuesday.”
The post said Smith covered EMS shifts for the department and described him as “an exceedingly helpful and friendly person to work with.”
Smith was an employee of Emergency Resource Management, an EMS staffing company.
“KVFD extends our deepest condolences to Chris’ fellow ERM employees and especially his family during this very difficult time,” the fire department post said.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Emergency Resource Management said Smith had worked for the company for eight years.
“EMS was his life; working for ERM in at least five different client locations, as well as being a volunteer in Plymouth and for two commercial EMS services,” the post said. “He was always willing to go above and beyond to help others. He was very proud to be in EMS, very rarely would you see him in anything other than an EMS/Fire shirt.
“Chris will always be remembered as a big man with an even bigger heart with an outgoing personality, an infectious smile and sense of humor. He enjoyed cooking and playing video games online with his three kids. He will be deeply missed by many,” the post said.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
A person close to Smith
has set up a GoFundMe campaign to go toward his funeral expenses. As of Thursday evening, $2,395 was raised of the $5,000 goal.
Torrington police said officers were called to the area of New Litchfield Street just west of Hart Drive around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a car and motorcycle collision.
At the scene, police found a 2019 Mazda SUV facing south on New Litchfield Street in the eastbound lane of the road. Police said the car appeared to turn into a Cumberland Farms parking lot off Route 202. The bike was found on its side within the westbound travel lane about 20 feet from the SUV, Torrington police said.
Police believe the bike was heading east on Route 202 when it struck the SUV as the car’s 71-yearold driver, also from Torrington, attempted to turn left into the lot.
Smith sustained lifethreatening injuries in the crash and was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The driver of the Mazda was also taken to the hospital for what police said were “precautionary measures” due to the seriousness of the crash.