Lifelong resident died doing ‘what he loved,’ friends say

By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

RESERVE – Dominick Dantoni, a LaPlace native and resident, well known diesel mechanic for HydroChem and husband and father of five, was killed in a fatal crash Thursday while riding his motorcycle on River Road in Reserve.

At approximately 2:40 a.m. on October 5, State Police investigated the scene of the accident in which Dantoni, 45, was found ejected from his 2001 Harvey Davidson motorcycle.

Dantoni was traveling westbound on LA 628 near the intersection of Bayou Steel Road at which time he failed to negotiate an s-curve and veered off the roadway, causing Dantoni to be ejected from the bike, according to authorities. The motorcycle then came to a stop in a grassy area just off the shoulder.

Dantoni was transported to River Parishes Hospital where he died shortly after.

According to information released from the State Police, Dantoni was wearing his helmet at the time of the crash and driver impairment is not a factor in the ongoing investigation.

Described by his wife Simona and friends of the family as a person who would do anything for anyone, Dantoni was known to always be working on something, whether it was his prized Harley Davidson, the bike of a friend, or keeping the diesel motors running smoothly at his workplace.

&#8220He always spoke his mind,” Simona said. &#8220He was known as ‘the boss’ at work, but now he won’t be there to tell them what to do anymore.”

Simona was joined by friends outside of her home Monday morning, who were trying to make the best of the situation by simply being together for support.

Dantoni’s best friend and fellow motorcycle rider James Cauble was at the home to help make sense of the tragedy, comforting himself with the fact that at least his friend passed away doing what he loved.

&#8220It may not have been the time he chose, but it’s the way he would have wanted to go,” Cauble said. &#8220His bike was his baby.”

While the State Police are still investigating the circumstances leading Dantoni to crash, Cauble said he thinks his friend could have quite possibly suffered a heart attack causing him to lay down the motorcycle, leading to his subsequent injuries and death.

Dantoni was scheduled to have heart surgery in mid-October to have stints inserted, but that couldn’t stop him from going about his days as though nothing were wrong, Cauble said.

&#8220Nicky was the kind of guy who always had to be busy,” Cauble said. &#8220You never knew him not to be doing something.”