The Erie police and county coroner’s office are currently investigating the death of Erie resident Lukasz Sperka, a graduate of Gannon University.
Sperka graduated in 2014 with a degree in marketing and communications.
Police were called to the scene of a motorcycle accident on South Park Row near the Erie Federal Courthouse just after 11 a.m. Sunday where they found Sperka severely injured. He was then taken to UPMC Hamot in traumatic arrest. He was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m.
Investigators believe Sperka was traveling at a high rate of speed when his licensed dirt bike hit a concrete planter in front of the courthouse. Erie county coroner Lyell Cook ruled Sperka’s death an accident, stating that the cause of death was blunt force trauma.
Becca Dambach, a Gannon alumna, said that she was shocked by his death.
“Do you know those people who just have so much joy, positivity and are all around good people? He was one of those guys,” Dambach said.
“Lukasz was always so nice and outgoing. He was friends with anyone and everyone and no matter where he went, he just loved to share his love for life.
“It really is true when they say – the best die young.”
Shawn Czerwinski, a senior nursing major and close friend of Sperka, says that Sperka had nothing but kindness to offer the world.
“He always knew how to bring a smile to everyone’s faces. He never judged anyone and was always willing to help everyone,” Czerwinski said.
Czerwinski is still having trouble coping with the accident that claimed the life of his friend.
“We had so many good memories together from freshman year of high school up until the accident. I still don’t want to believe that this is real,” Czerwinski said.
“I keep on wishing that I somehow will wake up from this nightmare and find out that he is still with us. Accepting the fact that this really did happen is the toughest part.”
LYDIA FENNESSY
