Heroic Bridgewater Dad Killed In Motorcycle Crash: Fundraiser Set Up To Help Family

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A fundraiser has been set up after a heroic Bridgewater father died in a motorcycle crash in Franklin on Monday night.

Luis Ruiz, 43, of Bridgewater, died when his motorcycle was involved in a crash on Canal Road with a pickup truck's trailer. Read More: Bridgewater Motorcyclist Dies After Crash With Truck Trailer: Cops

Ruiz leaves behind two sons, Adam (age 22) and Aidan (age 17), who will be graduating from Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School in less than 2 weeks.

"These boys are devastated. Their father was their best friend, mentor and sole provider," wrote Darlene Bernhard, who set up the fundraiser for Ruiz's children.

Bernhard is looking to raise funds for Ruiz's sons to help cover food, clothing, and keeping the boys in their current home. Any additional money will be allocated for a college fund for Aidan.

"I hope that the Bridgewater community will rally and help these boys who lost their father, a hero," said Bernhard.

To donate to the GoFundMe click here.

Bernhard said Ruiz "was a kind, generous man always willing to help others."

Ruiz was recently honored on Jan. 27 when he received a valor award from the Bridgewater Police Department for heroically saving an unconscious woman from a burning car.

On June 27, 2019, Ruiz, a tow truck driver was on Route 202/206 South near the merge of Route 22 West when he saw a vehicle off the road with heavy smoke coming from the front, Bridgewater Police Chief Paul Payne said at the award ceremony.

Ruiz along with Sgt. Kurt Bernhard ran over to the car and found the woman, Lucia Nuccio, was completely unconscious and still buckled in her seat, said Payne.

Both Bernhard and Ruiz removed her seatbelt and pulled her out of the vehicle.

"Shortly after removing her from the vehicle, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames," said Payne.

Both Bernhard and Ruiz were commended for their heroism and bravery.

"These gentlemen sacrificed their safety and their life to rescue this young lady," said Payne.

Watch the award ceremony below (begins around 5 minute mark):

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