'Promising young lives.' Friends mourn loss of couple killed in Holliston crash
HOLLISTON — A Holliston man and a Connecticut woman who died in a single-vehicle crash last Saturday night had been a couple for a year after meeting as students at Bryant University.
Both Joshua Taylor, 23, of Holliston, and Haley Gens, 23, of Avon, Connecticut, were 2022 graduates of Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
In a statement, the university expressed sorrow at the pair's passing.
"The University is heartbroken about the tragic loss of two recent graduates, Joshua Taylor and Haley Gens," the statement reads. "While undergrads, both were active and beloved in the Bryant community. We hold their families, friends, and former classmates in our thoughts as we mourn the loss of these promising young lives that are gone far too soon."
According to the Bryant University athletic page, Taylor was on the ultimate Frisbee club team, while Gens ran cross-country.
Taylor, in a recent Instagram post, had wished Gens a happy first anniversary.
"Thank you for one of the best years of my life thus far Squish (Gens), you mean more to me than you’ll ever know. Thank you for the endless laughs, hugs, kisses, and espresso martinis. Life’s a million times better with you in it babe, very grateful for you always. Here’s to many more years of us and making incredible memories, I love doing life with you, it’s a true privilege."
Friends mourn the deaths on social media
Several people responded to the Instagram post after the couple's death.
"You were one of the very best things to come from Holliston: thank you for being my friend, and congratulations on your last leg press pr :’) the world lost a very bright light — one that shone even brighter with Haley as your other half. love you always, rest easy," one commenter wrote.
Another commenter said: "Two of the most kind people I’ve known. Woke up today hoping it was all a dream. Miss you guys. Grateful for all the amazing times we had."
"You were a beacon of light everywhere you went. I’m gonna miss hearing that laugh and seeing your smile. My condolences to your families," a third commenter wrote.
What police say happened
Authorities said the pair were killed after a crash at 9:53 p.m. Saturday near 717 Highland St. — less than half a mile from Holliston High School.
Police said Taylor was driving south on Highland Street at a "high rate of speed," when the vehicle rolled over, left the road and struck a tree. Both Taylor and Gens were declared dead at the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. There were no updates Monday on the investigation, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Couple who died in Holliston crash were recent Bryant University grads
