Services set for Lyndhurst man, a father of three, killed in Sussex County crash

A Bergen County motorcyclist and father of three with a penchant for singing and home renovations was killed Saturday in a five-vehicle crash in Hardyston, police said.

Bret Torppey, 63, of Lyndhurst, died after his motorcycle struck the rear of a Dodge Durango on Route 23 north, according to Lt. Robert Zicarelli. The crash occurred around 12:50 p.m. at the blinking light of the intersection of Route 23 and Holland Mountain Road in the Stockholm section of town.

Police say a Nissan driven by an Oakland woman had slowed for stopped vehicles in front when she was rear-ended by the Durango, driven by a 17-year-old. Torppey, who was behind the Durango, attempted to stop but collided with the rear of the SUV and was ejected, Zicarelli said. His motorcycle was thrown into the southbound lane and struck by another vehicle.

Torppey was taken to Newton Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said.

No other injuries were reported. 

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A potion of Route 23 was closed for up to four hours on Saturday for a crash investigation, which remains active. No summonses have been issued.

The Hardyston Fire Department, Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and the West Milford and New Jersey State police assisted at the scene.

Torppey, who is survived by three daughters and his girlfriend, also his high school sweetheart, has ties to Sussex and Morris counties as well: He was born in Boonton and graduated from High Point Regional High School in 1977, according to his obituary.

With a personality that commanded every room and an effortless humor, Torppey performed in rock bands most of his life and enjoyed home improvement projects, his obituary states. He was the biggest fan of the drink Red Bull and also of the New York Jets, although he was often frustrated with them.

Visitation hours will be held on Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home in Lyndhurst. The funeral will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, according to the obituary. 

Lori Comstock can be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.