HIALEAH, Fla. – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who was killed in a motorcycle accident is being remembered as a "gentle giant" with a huge heart.
Marc Izquierdo, 53, of Hialeah, died Saturday night after he lost control of his motorcycle while traveling northbound on the Palmetto Expressway.
"He would do anything for anybody," said Matt Adams, who is married to Izquierdo's sister. "He retired from the Navy, and he was working at Miami International Airport as a federal agent."
Florida Highway Patrol investigators believe Izquierdo was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his motorcycle while merging onto northbound Interstate 75 from the Palmetto Expressway.
Izquierdo was decapitated during the crash and pronounced dead at the scene, investigators said.
Family and friends were notified Sunday morning. Funeral plans are still pending.
Izquierdo grew up in Hialeah, where he lived in the same home that his grandfather had built 50 years ago.
"I've known him for 25 years," said a neighbor. "He has always been friendly to everyone. This is a huge loss for this community."
Investigators said Izquierdo was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
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