By Associated Press - Thursday, May 21, 2015

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A pall has been thrown over commencement exercises at Quinsigamond Community College with the death of a student in a motorcycle accident the day before he was scheduled to graduate.

Brian Tangney Jr., of Holden, was identified as the victim of the crash at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in Worcester.

A spokesman for the college said the 25-year-old Tangney was scheduled to graduate Thursday with an associate’s degree in respiratory care.

Police say an off-duty officer came upon the crash.

The motorcycle hit the granite curb, a sign post, and an aluminum light pole. Tangney died at the hospital.

Dean of Students Liz Woods said in a statement that Tangney would be remembered for his professional and positive attitude on a class visit to Haiti in January.

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