Beloved CT Pizza Chef, 18, Killed In Crash; Community Rallies To Support Family

THOMASTON, CT — A fundraiser has been launched to support the family of an 18-year-old pizza chef at a Connecticut brewery who was killed in a crash over the weekend.

In a Facebook post Monday, Clocktown Brewing Company announced its pizza chef, Valentin "Val" Collazo, died suddenly Sunday night.

"Val was the kind of person who made Clocktown feel like home," the Thomaston brewery wrote on Facebook. "If you ever stopped in for a slice, chances are you saw him at the pizza oven cracking jokes, working hard and bringing a kind of life into the room that was impossible to miss. He poured his heart into everything he did, from rolling out dough to fixing up his Jeep. We are all devastated at Clocktown and it won't be the same without him."

The brewery also shared a link to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help Collazo's family with funeral and other sudden expenses.

According to the GoFundMe page's description, Collazo recently graduated from Thomaston High School with honors and planned to pursue a career in heavy machine operations.

"Valentin Collazo was a young man just starting his journey in life, full of hope and promise...His sudden passing in a car accident has left his family and friends heartbroken, struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss," the campaign's description reads. "Valentin touched the lives of many with his kindness and spirit, and his absence is deeply felt by all who knew him."

The campaign page also notes Collazo's family is now facing "the overwhelming burden of funeral and related expenses" in the wake of his passing.

"The loss was completely unexpected, and the costs that come with saying goodbye are more than the family can manage alone," the description reads. "By coming together, we can help ease some of the financial stress and allow Valentin’s loved ones to focus on healing and remembering the wonderful person he was."

As of Tuesday evening, the campaign has received over 350 donations and raised over $24,000 toward a current goal of $25,000. Those who wish to donate can do so here.

"Any help in this difficult time would be immeasurably appreciated," the GoFundMe page reads. "Your support, whether through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser, will make a meaningful difference for Valentin's family as they navigate this heartbreaking time."

According to Connecticut State Police, officers responded just before midnight to a report of a serious crash on Route 15 South near Exit 36 in Stratford.

Police said an investigation indicates that a 2010 Mazda3i that was being driven by Collazo was traveling in the left lane of two on Route 15 when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The Mazda veered to the right, entered the right shoulder, and began sliding sideways, according to police.

“The vehicle then crossed the grassy gore area of the Exit 36 entrance ramp, traveled across the ramp, and subsequently struck a rock wall located along the right shoulder with the driver’s side of the vehicle,” police wrote in the accident report.

Collazo was given C.P.R. at the crash scene and was taken by Stratford E.M.S. to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, according to police.

A passenger was taken to a hospital with a suspected minor injury, police said.

The crash remains under investigation, according to state police.

Includes prior reporting by Vincent Salzo, Patch Staff