Adam Carpino, a 28-year-old motorcyclist struck by a sport utility vehicle, died Friday, nearly two weeks after he was critically injured in an Aug. 21 hit-and-run.
A scheduled fundraiser to help pay for Carpino's medical bills is now set to assist with his funeral service costs.
"He'd recently started a new job and was just so excited about his future," said his sister-in-law Janet Carpino, 25. "He'll be missed."
The hit-and-run occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 just after Adam Carpino left a family gathering at his aunt's home. Carpino, police have said, was westbound on 16th Street on his 2003 Yamaha motorcycle when he was struck by an eastbound SUV that made a left turn onto Kearney Avenue. The SUV immediately left the scene.
Carpino was taken to Froedtert Hospital, the regional trauma center in Wauwatosa. He had extreme swelling of the brain and remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit until his death Friday.
"He just didn't get any better," said Rebecca LeClaire, 48, of Racine, Carpino's aunt, who described him as a prankster and fun-loving.
"He had the goofiest laugh, that when you hear it, it just warms your heart," she said. "He wouldn't want us to be mourning, but to celebrate on how he was succeeding in life."
Carpino had studied at Gateway Technical College to become a welder. He had just started his new job about a week prior to the hit-and-run.
To help pay for his funeral, Carpino's family and friends are hosting a bike and car wash, with raffles, music and food, on Sept. 10 at Paradise Lanes, 6501 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant.
As of Friday, police did not provide any update on the investigation. Police have said the suspect vehicle is described as a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Chevy Blazer-type, and believed to be an early 2000 model with possible damage on its front left side resulting from the collision.
To report any information on the fatal hit-and-run, call the Police Department at: (262) 635-7772.


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