Man killed in Port car crash

Luke Torrance
Lawrence Chrapliwy (left) was killed in a car accident while his wife, Lynn (right) was injured. (Courtesy of Stephanie Hall)

Port Washington artist Lawrence Chrapliwy, 71, was killed Wednesday when his 1978 Toyota Chinook camper crashed into a house in Port, police said.

According to a report from the Nassau County Police Department, Chrapliwy was driving his vehicle westbound on Reid Avenue with his wife, Lynn, when he struck a curb and crashed into a residence on Mackey Avenue.

The accident occurred around 1:40 p.m. Chrapliwy was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 2:19 p.m. Lynn Chrapliwy, 66, suffered a collapsed lung and broken ribs at the crash and was also taken to a local hospital. Police did not give an update on her condition.

Lawrence and Lynn Chrapliwy were local artists in Port Washington known by local residents for their painting.

Lawrence was often seen painting on the Town Dock. The couple was retired and on a fixed income, so Port resident Stephanie Hall recently started a GoFundMe campaign to help them out.

On Wednesday, the goal of the campaign tragically changed.

“Sadly, I must now change the focus of this fundraiser to raising funds for Larry’s funeral and for much-needed funds for Lynn as she recovers,” Hall wrote in an update. “There could not be two kinder, gentler, or sweeter souls on the face of this Earth. Please give any amount you can and share this fundraiser on your social media. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (which is now broken).”

In her post, Hall wrote that Lawrence suffered a heart attack while driving, which caused him to wreck his camper. Police would not confirm the cause of Chrapliwy’s death and said the investigation is still ongoing.

You can donate to the GoFundMe by clicking here.

Reach reporter Luke Torrance by email at ltorrance@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516-307-1045, ext. 214, or follow him on Twitter @LukeATorrance

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