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Submitted photo
Carly Bragnalo, 27, and NHLer Taylor Pyatt are seen in this 2008 submitted photograph.
The fiancée of Vancouver Canucks forward Taylor Pyatt has died following a single-car crash in Jamaica.
Carly Bragnalo, 27, was on holidays at Treasure Beach with friends and relatives when the accident occurred early Friday morning. According to the Jamaica Observer, five others were injured in the accident, which occurred in south St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
Also injured in the crash were Carly's mother Debbie Bragnalo, 48, and Marcy Kawahuahara, as well as the taxicab driver, 27-year-old Craig Sutherland, who the paper says was transported to hospital where he reportedly underwent a series of medical tests.
According to the Observer, Sutherland was driving a Toyota Altis, returning to Treasure Beach with five passengers aboard. Sutherland allegedly failed to negotiate a curve, lost control of his vehicle and struck a utility pole, flipping the car in the process.
"The Pyatt family is deeply saddened by this tragic loss," the family said in a statement issued on their behalf by Canucks representatives.
"At this difficult period, the family would request to be given the time to grieve in private. We are focused on our son and the Bragnalo family. We thank you for your support and understanding."
Pyatt has since left Vancouver and returned to Thunder Bay. Team officials have said they will give him as much time away as he and the two families need. The couple was scheduled to marry this summer.
Pyatt’s roommate, Alexander Burrows, told the Vancouver Province that Carly was a vibrant young woman, full of spirit and lived life to its fullest.
“Carly was a great girl with great spirit,” Burrows said. “Every time I saw her she would laugh and had a good time. Taylor was really looking forward to his wedding, and I was looking forward to it too.”
Burrows, who has roomed with Pyatt for two seasons, said the Canucks organization, which lost defenceman Luc Bourdon to a fatal motorcycle accident last summer, will do what it can to support their friend and teammate.
“I know he cared a lot about Carly and talked to her every night. He loved her a lot and it’s really sad,” Burrows told the Province. “It’s a challenging time right now, but we’re a tight group in here and we’ll try to battle.”
Canucks GM Mike Gillis issued a statement on behalf of the team on Friday.
"Today the (Vancouver) Canucks lost a member of our family," Gillis said. "Carly was a lovely and generous young woman who shared her spirit for life with our players, their spouses and their extended families.
"We will support the Bragnalo family, Taylor and his entire family in any way we can during this very difficult time."
- With files from Scott Paradis