Deaf father killed in motorcycle accident
A 30-year-old deaf man named Benjamin “Ben” Carrasquillo was killed in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, June 5 in central Florida.
I was in touch with his partner of six years, Joanna Marie. She said she had two boys with Ben and that he was like a stepfather to Joanna’s daughter, raising her since she was two.
Joanna explained that Ben was traveling back home from Daytona Beach with his two friends, who were also on motorcycles, when he crashed into the back of a boat trailer. She said Ben was speeding, going about 105 mph, when he crashed. His leg was ripped off and his helmet came off, causing him to hit his skull. Ben was alive for about 20 minutes before passing away.
Local news reported that a motorcyclist, who Joanna said was Ben, was “speeding westbound on SR 40 when the victim failed to negotiate a right curve and lost control… briefly entered the eastbound lane, then struck the back of a boat trailer.” This image is of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper at the scene. The highway was closed for several hours.
Joanna said she was at home at the time and found out about what happened to Ben from one of his friends who was traveling with him. She said she immediately went to the scene but was prevented from seeing the site of the crash. However, she saw a black skid mark on the roadway from when Ben tried to stop the motorcycle.
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Joanna said she is shocked and grieving and trying to figure out how to take care of three children and their house, which they bought last year. She explained that she has always told Ben to be careful with the motorcycle and that he would say he knew what he was doing.
Ben was a painter and loved to play basketball and competed in deaf sports leagues. Joanna said Ben was a wonderful father and a very good person.
Joanna’s family set up a GoFundMe to support her through this time. The link is in the transcript. Ben’s funeral will take place this Saturday.
News story: https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2021/06/05/man-dies-motorcycle-crash-sr-40-e-marion-county/7568459002/