Young Man Dies Amongst Friends

(Story from Saturday March 10, 2007) 

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HYANNIS- When I first came upon Felipe the sun had just dipped behind some clouds.  He was likely in a state of cardiac arrest; his friends held his hand; there were no signs of a pulse, no breathing.  “Hang on Felipe.  They’re coming to help you… hang on!” Friends sat and stood beside him, tearful, desperately awaiting police and rescue, fearing the worst, doing what they could, talking to him, assuring him...  Seconds seemed like hours.

A priest happened on the scene, exchanged a knowing glance, stopped, and administered a blessing- lightly touching Felipe's forehead.

My daughter believes she had just seen the young group and their motorcycles at the Dunkin Donuts back in the center of town.  Taking a cruise towards Craigville Beach would be the logical choice on a day that was much warmer compared to this week’s record frigid conditions.  Moods were high.

But at the intersection of Smith and Craigville Beach Road things suddenly changed.  Felipe, riding a motorcycle, had just collided with a Toyota Camry passenger vehicle.

The dust was just settling when my daughter and I arrived.  Everyone ran toward the victim, the bike lay in pieces…  Felipe came to rest behind a guard rail.

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Police officers arrived all at once, one after another attended to their tasks, first aid, closing the roadway, talking to witnesses, making way for rescue and fire equipment.

The man driving the Toyota was visibly shaken, sore ribs, but standing…  Police checked on him with concern and compassion. 

Rescue and police carefully brought the young man up and onto a stretcher, carefully lifting him over the rail.

Barnstable’s accident reconstruction team, who had just participated in a local Saint Patrick’s parade, had no time to change out of their dress blues as they initiated their investigation.

Firefighters and wrecker operators began the cleanup.

At Cape Cod Hospital Felipe Carvalho, age 19, of West Harwich was officially pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.  Waves of family and friends arrived and learned of the sad news…

My grandfather always said, “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.”  I found Felipe’s many friends to be warm, faithful, and very caring.

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