East Coast Marine Killed in Motorcycle Accident

A decorated U.S. Marine from Naugatuck, CT, who had just ended a four-year service period that included combat time in Afghanistan, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Osborne Road early Saturday morning, Naugatuck police said.

Matthew A. Tooker, 25, of 23 Carriage Drive, was pronounced dead after police said he was rushed to Waterbury Hospital with severe head trauma following the one-vehicle accident.

Tooker was driving a 2001 Honda CBR900 when he lost control of the motorcycle and hit a curb, said Lt. Robert Harrison, Naugatuck police spokesman. The motorcycle then struck a telephone pole, Harrison said.

At 2:45 a.m., Naugatuck officers were dispatched to Osborne Road in response to a 911 call. Tooker was found approximately 10 feet from his motorcycle in the driveway of an Osborn Road home. He was immediately rushed to Waterbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Tooker served two tours in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and was discharged from active duty on Aug. 6, said Staff Sgt. Jessica Smith, public affairs director for the Marine Corps. He had just entered a four-year period of individual ready service, meaning he was no longer an active Marine but he could be called back into service at any time, Smith explained.

The Republican-American reported that last year Tooker was shot twice in Afghanistan and survived to run the Marine Corps Marathon.

Naugatuck police said the family has been notified. Patch attempted to contact a family member Monday; however, due to power outages caused by Hurricane Irene the family could not be reached.

Tooker was not wearing a helmet during the accident, Harrison said. He said it appeared the vehicle wasn’t registered to Tooker and that he was operating with a learner’s permit.

There were no other vehicles involved and no witnesses. Residents who called 911 only heard the accident, Harrison said.

The accident remains under investigation.

Editor's Note: A previous posting of this article contained a misleading piece of information. It was originally reported that the family couldn't be reached because the phone line was out of service. This was because the family lost power due to the hurricane. The article has been clarified.

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