37-year-old fatal victim in Portsmouth motorcycle crash was Navy veteran, married father of 2

A man who died from injuries sustained in a local motorcycle crash is being remembered.

According to Major Michael Morse, on June 5th, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Portsmouth Police Department responded to the area of West Main Road at the Route 24 North on-ramp for a reported motor vehicle crash involving one motorcycle. Officers were advised that the operator of the motorcycle appeared unconscious and unresponsive. The Portsmouth Fire Department was notified and also responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, Route 24 North at the on-ramp was closed and all traffic was diverted to allow first responders to provide aid and to investigate the crash.

The motorcycle operator was identified as 37-year-old Juan Pablo Garcia Castro, a resident of Middletown, Rhode Island.

Garcia Castro was transported by Portsmouth Fire to St. Anne’s Hospital and subsequently airlifted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Garcia Castro passed away on Sunday due to injuries he sustained from the crash.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Garcia Castro was traveling north on West Main Road and entered Route 24 North in the left lane. As the motorcycle entered the curve of the highway, the motorcycle changed lanes and then struck the guardrail causing Garcia Castro to be ejected from the motorcycle. The motorcycle then continued to travel after impact before coming to its’ final rest. Garcia Castro had been wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

According to an obituary, Garcia Castro was a lieutenant/ Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy and leaves behind a wife and two young children.

“Anyone who knew Juan Pablo, knew that he was devoted, loyal and a hard-working husband, father, friend and shipmate. He had immense pride in his service and loved his family and friends fiercely. Outside of his love of his family and friends, He enjoyed gaming, listening to music, watching movies, eating sushi, drinking a good drink, riding his motorcycle and car.”

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 26th in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The crash remains under investigation by the Portsmouth Police Detective Division and Accident Reconstruction Unit.