Celebration of life to be held in Fall River for local man killed in highway crash

An event is being held to honor a local man who died in a recent fatal highway crash.

According to State Police, on Thanksgiving, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Troop “E” Montville dispatched Troopers to the area of Exit 89 of 1-95 northbound in the Town of Groton, Connecticut for the report of a motor vehicle rolled over. 

A white in color 2019 BMW X3 bearing Massachusetts registration out of Robeson Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, was located upside down in the right shoulder of the Exit 89 ramp after colliding with multiple road signs, an illumination pole and other objects in the roadside. The operator was ejected from the vehicle during the collision and sustained fatal injuries.

The operator was identified as 35-year-old Derek Curtis and was the only occupant of the motor vehicle.

According to those who knew Curtis, he was a good friend and mechanic who loved cars.

A good friend of Curtis stated that he “always had a smile on. He showed up, regardless of what was going on in his life. (He) was a selfless person regardless (of) if we didn’t see each other for a while. We picked up where we left off! Going to miss him! Recently, I was gifting my son a car for his birthday. I needed to get a new front bumper. We both were on the lookout for one. We found one in New York. I was too busy to go. He went and got it for me and drove it to my house. That (is the) type of person (that) doesn’t exist in this world and if they do they get taken way too soon!”

On Sunday at noon at Scottie’s Pub, 202 Pleasant Street, in Fall River, a gathering will be held to honor and celebrate Derek’s life. The Celebration of Life is open to family, friends, and anyone whose heart he touched to share memories, offer support, and surround his daughters and loved ones with comfort during this difficult time.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has also been organized by his mother.

The crash is under investigation and anyone who witnessed the collision, has dash camera footage or other information is asked to contact the Connecticut State Police Troop “E” barracks at 860-848-6500.