Community comes together to raise money for USPS driver killed in crash

BRADENTON , Fla. (WWSB) - Neighbors and friends have organized a fundraiser to help the widow of a United States Postal Worker killed in a crash in Bradenton.

Forty-one-year-old Michael Silvestri of Bradenton was killed after police say a Mercedes SUV, driven by 79-year-old Phillip B. Simpson of Bradenton, failed to stop for the stop sign, hitting Silvestri’s USPS truck and knocking it onto its side.

Neighbors have organized a GoFundMe account to help with funeral and living expenses for Silvestri’s wife.

“Hello, everyone. As many of you may have heard, we lost another member of our community tonight. His surviving spouse and one of our HOA board members, Megan Silvestri, could use our prayers, and assistance now. I am going to set up a GoFundMe account, as bills will be tight after this. We don’t want her to have to worry about those details right now. As you know, Megan was a richly awarded school counselor for years. Please help this wonderful community member sleep a little easier, after this awful tragedy,” reads a post to the page.

If you would like to donate, click here.

Toxicology tests are pending, but investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

The investigation is continuing.