Framingham man killed in three-truck crash in Illinois, fundraiser started
FRAMINGHAM — Daniel "Danny" Kavanagh was on his way to Wyoming to start a new business with a friend when he was killed in a three-vehicle crash in Illinois.
Kavanagh, 33, died Friday, one of two people killed in the crash. An elderly Illinois man also died in the crash on Interstate 280 in Rock Island County, according to the Illinois State Police. Three pickup trucks were involved in the crash.
The third driver and a passenger in one of the trucks were taken to area hospitals with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, the Illinois State Police said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Kavanagh is survived by his parents, Frank Kavanagh and Ilma Paixao. Paixao was named one of the MetroWest Daily News' "Most Interesting" people in 2019 for her work as a Brazilian activist and assisting residents of the Century Estates to help them get better living conditions.
How to help: Danny Kavanagh’s Funeral Expenses
Elaine Fernandes, a family friend, has create a GoFundMe to help raise money for Kavanagh's funeral. They are seeking $15,000. As of Thursday afternoon, it has raised about $4,700.
"Danny's family is devastated, and is mourning a young man who had so many friends throughout Massachusetts, was so proud of his Brazilian heritage, and whose future was so bright, and was just about to start a new page," according to the GoFundMe.
According to his obituary, Kavanagh found joy in everything he did.
"He enjoyed the freedom of his bicycle as a boy, he rarely missed a day of school, and he enjoyed team sports. He smiled contagiously, loved French fries (but not the fancy kind), and found great joy, adventure, and peace in the outdoors. He participated in the sacraments and brought fun to his religious education classes. As a kid, Sunday morning donuts encouraged his timely Mass attendance. He grew to become a man who found comfort and meaning in his faith.
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Visiting hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St., Framingham. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Tarcisius Church, 562 Waverly St., Framingham, with burial following at the St. Tarcisius Cemetery on Winthrop Street.
To donate to the GoFundMe, go to https://gofund.me/a972d444.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham man killed in truck crash in Illinois, funeral on Saturday
