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Donations have steadily streamed in to support the family of an 18-year-old Whitestone man killed in a motorcycle crash in Riverhead this month.
The wreck that took Aiden LoMele’s life occurred about 2:22 p.m. on Center Drive in Riverhead, police said.
A northbound 2022 Kenworth commercial truck struck LoMele’s 2022 Honda motorcycle and a 2017 Honda sedan after the motorcycle changed lanes and stopped near the front of the truck just before a traffic light turned green, authorities said.
LoMele died shortly later at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead.
A GoFundMe launched by family friend Priscilla Olsen has quickly gained traction, with dozens of donors contributing nearly $8,000 to help LoMele’s loved ones cover funeral and other expenses and honor his memory.
Aiden had recently completed his EMT certification at Suffolk County Community College and dreamed of becoming a psychiatric nurse. Outside of school, he was known as a gifted artist, prankster, animal lover, and devoted son, brother, and friend.
LoMele’s older cousin Chelsea Lewis described him as “so full of joy and laughter” and recalled, “I can only picture his little grin and that goofy laugh while he shot me with a nerf gun and chased me around Aunt Annie’s house.”
“It still doesn’t feel real and is so hard for our family to accept,” she continued. “I will keep you with me forever, I’m gonna make sure that Neesie and your little brother Issac are taken care of, buddy, so don’t you worry about a thing.”
Funeral services for LoMele were handled by Robertaccio Funeral Home in Patchogue and held this week at Jesus is Lord Church in Holtsville. He was laid to rest at Calverton National Cemetery.
LoMele is survived by his mother, Denise Marie LoMele; his father, Daniel Gonzalez; siblings Issac LoMele and Yadelenn, Desteny, and Dianelys Gonzalez; his grandmother Ann LoMele; and many cousins, extended family members and close friends.
Top photos: Aiden LoMele, and his mom Denise (GoFundMe).
