I thought I'd post this here for those of you that may have know Alex in either Tampa or Richmond. Sadly, I never met Alex but his older brother is an old high school friend from Tampa. He and his family are in my thoughts.

From the Profane Existence Community Forum:

on the way back to richmond from the distortion days Fest a car load of richmonders were involved in a terrible accident. they were hit by another car and got launched into the air, spun a couple times and crashed. most of the passengers escaped with only minor injuries. Alex Jeffrey Trough did not. donations to help with hospital bills and to get the survivng passengers back to richmond can be sent via paypal to crust_kontrol@hotmail.com



http://www.profaneexistence.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=36&p=227578

News Article:

Trucker held in fatal crash
Minnesota driver crashed into car on the turnpike

BRYAN - A Minnesota truck driver who crashed early Monday into the rear of a car on the Ohio Turnpike, killing a passenger in the vehicle, is being held on misdemeanor charges, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

The driver of the tractor- trailer rig, Michael Leer, 37, of Maple Lake, Minn., is being held in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio in Stryker. He is charged with one count each of vehicular homicide and failing to maintain an assured clear distance.

Alex Trough, 20, of Richmond, Va., who was one of four passengers in the car driven by Ryan Heyscue, also of Richmond, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers at the Swanton Post said Mr. Leer was towing another semi in the eastbound lanes at 12:13 a.m. when he struck the small sedan, sending it into the ditch, where it overturned. Mr. Trough, a passenger in the back seat, was thrown from the car.

Troopers said Mr. Leer initially stopped after the accident and then continued driving before he was stopped by highway patrol officers about 13 miles east of the crash scene.

Mr. Heyscue, 18, and three other passengers, all of Richmond, were treated at local hospitals.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090818/NEWS16/908180373/-1/ARCHIVES30

"if you would like to come to the service for him, it will be this Saturday in Tampa at Boza & Roel Funeral Home on Armenia Ave from 12-4. Come as you are, just as you would dress for a show, because that's what he would have wanted.

love,
his sister Mia"

It's funny, that reminded me of the scene in Suburbia (the Spheeris one, not the new one) where all the punk kids go to the funeral.

When one of my friends killed herself a few years ago, all the punkers turned up in their leathers and Chucks and 'hawks and boots. The parents actually really, really appreciated it, because they could look out into the crowd of mourners and see the kids who came on their own to say goodbye to their daughter.

Yeah, the scene in Suburbia ended up quite the opposite though.

My niece was close with Alex and went to his service. Said all the kids were dressed like they were going to a show... including Alex. She said it was the way he would have liked to have gone... and be remembered.

I think people should be remembered and honored like they really were... not how people expect death to be typically dealt with in some formal traditional sense.

Alex was a great guy. Defiantly missed.

We did always have fun