ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Connor Lopez, a beloved piano teacher and musician from Galt, was identified as the 23-year-old motorcyclist killed in a crash last week in Elk Grove. His family and friends are mourning the sudden loss of a man they described as warm, witty and extraordinarily gifted.

Lopez died at the scene after his motorcycle collided with an SUV around 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 on the 8100 block of Sheldon Road, according to the Elk Grove Police Department. Investigators said the circumstances of the crash are still under investigation.

A GoFundMe page launched by his family has raised thousands of dollars to help cover funeral expenses, a reflection of how deeply Lopez was loved in his community.

“Connor was really special,” his mother, Allison Lyman, said. “He was probably the kindest person you would have ever met.”

Connor Lopez was a classically trained pianist who taught lessons at NewSongs School of Music in Elk Grove and often filled his family home with music.

“He loved that,” Lyman said. “He would come home and talk about ways to kind of challenge his students or teach them, and we will forever miss hearing him play at home or at family gatherings.”

Lopez graduated from Liberty Ranch High School in 2019 and was studying communications at Sacramento City College. He had recently moved into his first apartment and took pride in caring for his cat, Benny, his beloved and grumpy feline he even had tattooed on his body.

His younger sister Ella Lopez, 20, described her older brother as “so genuine and so humble,” with a quick sense of humor and a magnetic personality.

“He was just not afraid of being himself,” Lopez said. “Anyone who briefly encountered him, he would leave an impression.”

His family says the outpouring of community support has been overwhelming.

“Connor would be shocked to see how many lives he touched,” his mother said. “I wish he did.”

Outside of playing music, Lopez said, her brother enjoyed playing soccer, hanging out with his siblings and playing video games. 

“He was effortlessly cool, never afraid to be himself,” said Ella Lopez. “You just felt better around him. He was so full of life.”

Connor is survived by his siblings Vincent Lopez, 10; Ava Lyman, 11; Julia Lyman, 12; Roman Lopez, 12; Ofelia Lopez, 16; and Ella Lopez, 20; and his mother, Allison Lyman and his father, Vidal Lopez.

Lyman said NewSongs School of Music closed for a week to honor Connor’s memory, and friends have shared story after story with the family about his kindness, humor and generosity.

The GoFundMe, in a little over five days, has already raised $24,200 out of the $25,000 goal to help cover funeral costs as of Wednesday. 

Allison Lyman said it has “meant the world” to their family to see the support.

“We are just devastated, and it has been such a source of comfort to know how many people loved him,” Lopez said.

Donations to support his family can be made through the GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/honoring-connor-lopez-and-supporting-the-lopez-family.

Anyone with information about the crash can call the Elk Grove Police Department Traffic Bureau at 916-627-3714.