Tri-Cities motorcyclist with a ‘happy soul’ and passion for riding taken too soon, say friends
When the Khyl Cassano’s parents heard someone died in a motorcycle crash, they started reaching out for their biker friends and family.
Their son never picked up his phone. They learned soon after that the 32-year-old was killed just before noon Monday when a car turned in front of him in Finley.
Now friends and family are raising money to cover funeral expenses for the motorcycle enthusiast, described as the first to jump in to help others. Two GoFundMe fundraisers have been set up.
“Khyl was so passionate about riding, his Harley taking the No. 1 spot in his heart,” his stepsister Kara Morton wrote in her GoFundMe effort. “... He was a truly kind, gentle and happy soul.”
Cassano was riding north on Highway 397 east of Kennewick when a Subaru Forester heading south turned left onto a private road in front of him, the Washington State Patrol said.
He hit the car and died at the scene.
The Forester’s driver, Ignacia Prado Zavala, 58, of Kennewick, was treated at Lourdes Medical Center. She was not arrested and WSP has given no more details on the investigation.
“He was taken too soon,” wrote the Undertakers Motorcycle Club, which also organized a GoFundMe campaign for their club member. “He was in a good place in his life, he was happy and he was in love with a great young lady.”
They described Cassano as a great guy who was kind and polite. He would be the first to help at poker runs and benefit rides. He had a great smile and huge heart, they wrote.
“His club brothers loved him very much and their hearts are shattered by this tragedy,” said the club’s fundraising message.
To donate go to Kara Morton’s fundraiser at bit.ly/CassanoFundraiser or to the motorcycle club’s fundraiser at bit.ly/UndertakersFundraiser.