Hudson Man Dies of Injuries Following Raymond Crash

One of two young men injured March 16 in a fiery Raymond crash has died.

Brandon Masterson, 20, of Hudson died March 22 at Mass General Hospital, a hospital spokesperson confirmed Saturday.

It was news that was difficult to take at Hayward's Ice Cream, where Masterson worked for the past four years.

"He was one of the best ice cream boys, the hardest workers we've had. Literally, the best thing about him was he cared so much about everybody," said manager Sarah Lewis, who said Masterson had been working the week before the crash.

"Brandon had so much going for him and we had the biggest hopes for his future. We watched him grow up, through football, graduating high school, college – he did everything he loved to do, and he did it to the fullest," Lewis said. "He was a friend to everyone, really everyone."

Masterson, a 2011 Alvirne High School graduate, was getting ready to graduate from Nashua Community College in May, said Karl Wunderlich, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Automotive Technology Department at NCC.

"He was a great student who really worked hard, and was well liked by everybody in his class, and by the faculty. He had great hopes ahead of him, and was scheduled to graduate in about eight weeks," Wunderlich said.

Masterson was among a group of students who were on hand when President Obama toured the automotive department in March of 2012, and was photographed standing next to the President in an official White House photo.

Masterson, a huge car enthusiast, was a member of the Autocross Club at NCC, a student organization that has organized a car show fundraiser to be held Sunday March 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college, to assist the Masterson's family.

Students are asking $5 donation for every vehicle entered, and for those who come out to support the cause, Wunderlich said.

The other young man involved in the crash, Andrew Ocasio, 20, of Hudson, was initially hospitalized, but Lewis said she has heard that he has since been released from the hospital.

"We haven't heard much, except that he was sent home from the hospital," Lewis said.

>RELATED STORY: Two Hudson Men Seriously Injured in Fiery Crash

Raymond Police Cpl. Jon Kelly did not have an update on Ocasio's status, and said more information about the crash would likely be available early next week, including the cause of the crash and who was operating the vehicle.

Police arrived at the scene of the crash at about 2:20 a.m. to find that a 2007 Subaru had crashed into a tree, and burst into flames. Ocasio and Masterson were thrown from the vehicle and were found, unconscious, on the ground nearby.

"We're still piecing things together, since we obviously didn't have a chance to speak to either of the boys," Kelly said.

In his experience, the March 16 accident on Chester Road was one of the worst he's seen. "It's tragic. It's a parent's worst nightmare," Kelly said.

Lewis said Masterson was a hard worker – not only scooping ice cream at Hayward's, but at his day job, for the Apple Store at Pheasant Lane Mall.

"He liked his cars, and he worked hard to afford them," Lewis said.

She said Masterson was a big part of the Hayward's Ice Cream family – owner Chris Ordway posted the following tribute on the company's Facebook Page Saturday morning, reprinted here with permission:

Yesterday we lost a friend, son, brother, nephew, and co-worker. Brandon was only 20 years old when he passed away do to injuries he suffered in a car crash last Saturday. Words can not express how saddened we all are. Brandon was a remarkable young man, always going out of his way to make sure everyone else was happy. He left us too early but heaven has gained a remarkable young Angel. Brandon Masterson (1993 - 2013) may you rest in peace. We all miss you deeply.

Lewis said for right now the staff is trying to get through the grief. Once things settle, they will think about what they can do as a tribute to Masterson.

"We would like to find a way to celebrate his life. It's a hard loss for us. Not a day goes by that we won't miss him," Lewis said.