Braintree High Grad Dies in Motorcycle Accident

The Regis College community is mourning the death of one student, a Braintree High School graduate, and serious injury of another following a motorcycle crash on Thursday.

Regis College President Antoinette M. Hays said in a statement that senior Michael Kaplan died as a result of the crash while Wilmington’s Peter Leighton was seriously injured.

According to the statement, the college gathered on campus at the Fine Arts Center to support each other during the time of loss.

“Please pray for Michael as he makes his journey to God and pray for Peter’s recovery,” Hays said in the statement. “We hold their parents and families in our hearts.”

Weston Police are still investigating the crash, which occurred on Chestnut Street at about 3 p.m. According to police, the motorcycle crashed into a telephone pole in the area.

Kaplan, a Braintree resident, was a nursing major at the school.

Leighton graduated from Wilmington High School in 2011 and was a member of the Wildcat boys lacrosse team. During his initial season at Regis College he had a major impact on the men’s lacrosse team. Leighton notched a team-high 21 goals and added 9 assists while starting all 15 games as a freshman.