Keith Rosato Thrown Hard into Vincent Hill Road, Dies After 2007 Harley Davidson Crash Near Route 64—No Other Vehicles Involved, Community Left in Mourning and Searching for Answers

On an otherwise quiet Thursday evening, tragedy unfolded on Vincent Hill Road, just a few strides from where 58-year-old Keith Rosato called home. At approximately 8:50 p.m., Rosato was riding his 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle along the winding stretch near the intersection with Route 64 when disaster struck. Without any apparent interference from other vehicles, without rain, fog, or snow—without even a reported pothole to blame—Rosato lost control of his bike.

The crash, though occurring on a lesser-traveled road, immediately shattered the stillness of the rural night. The sharp, sudden screech of metal against pavement pierced the calm. Witnesses later described hearing a singular, harrowing thud—the sound of Rosato’s body hitting the asphalt after being thrown from his motorcycle with violent force. When emergency responders arrived mere minutes after the first 911 call was placed, they found Rosato lying severely injured in the center of the roadway, his beloved Harley twisted and smoking nearby.

It was a grim scene. The flicker of ambulance lights against the dark tree lines of Vincent Hill cast long, somber shadows. Paramedics worked quickly, administering immediate aid at the scene before rushing Rosato to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, known for its trauma center and urgent care facilities. Despite their best efforts and the advanced care he received, Rosato succumbed to his injuries hours later in the hospital’s critical care unit.

The news spread quickly through the small, tightly-knit Ontario County community, where Keith Rosato was more than just another motorcyclist—he was a familiar face. A long-time resident of the area, friends say he was the kind of man who made time for neighbors, whether it was helping jump-start a car in winter or checking in on elderly residents after storms.

“Keith had a deep love for the road and a stronger love for people,” said longtime friend Mike Barrett. “You couldn’t pass him without a wave or a nod. He was just that kind of guy—genuine, salt of the earth.”

The circumstances of the crash remain cloaked in mystery. Ontario County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed there was no sign of another vehicle involved and no evidence of foul play. Speed has not been officially ruled out as a factor, but locals familiar with the road describe Vincent Hill as deceptive in its layout—its curves appearing gentle until it’s too late to correct.

“This is a route many of us ride all the time,” said local motorcycle club member Tonya Alvarez. “It’s easy to get too comfortable. But it only takes one turn, one second of miscalculation, and it’s over.”

Indeed, Vincent Hill Road has long been a point of concern for local riders and drivers alike. The absence of street lighting in certain stretches and the sharpness of its turns make it potentially hazardous, especially at night. In fact, according to a 2022 report by the New York State Department of Transportation, Vincent Hill ranks in the top 15% of secondary rural roads in Ontario County with recurring single-vehicle incidents. Though Rosato’s crash adds tragic weight to that statistic, many hope it will serve as a wake-up call to push for improved signage, road grading, or even guardrails.

For now, the investigation continues. Sheriff’s deputies, along with accident reconstruction experts, are analyzing skid marks, vehicle damage, and roadway conditions to determine exactly what caused Rosato’s Harley Davidson to veer out of control. Alcohol or drug involvement has been ruled out. The bike itself, a 2007 model known for its power and reliability, will be examined for any mechanical failures that could have contributed to the crash.

“We owe it to Keith and his family to understand what happened,” said Sheriff Kevin Ramirez in a press briefing. “While no foul play is suspected, every accident leaves behind questions—and it’s our job to find answers.”

Keith Rosato leaves behind a family devastated by his sudden loss. Friends and relatives describe him as a devoted father, husband, and brother. His niece, Angela Rosato, took to social media shortly after the news broke, writing: “He was a warrior on the road and a soft heart at home. I can’t believe he’s gone. The world feels quieter without his laugh.”

In the days following the accident, flowers, candles, and handwritten notes began appearing at the crash site. One note, placed under a Harley-Davidson emblem and laminated against the rain, read: “Gone from the road but not from our hearts. Ride in peace, Keith.”

Local motorcycle clubs are also planning a memorial ride in Rosato’s honor. Tentatively scheduled for next Saturday, the event is expected to draw dozens of riders from across the county, each taking the same route Rosato did—carefully, deliberately, in silence—to honor a fellow rider who did not make it home. Participants plan to end the ride outside his home, just steps away from where the crash occurred, in a moment of shared remembrance.

At Strong Memorial Hospital, nurses who treated Rosato were visibly shaken. One, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “He came in fighting. Even with those injuries, he held on longer than anyone expected. That tells you something about his spirit.”

There is also growing discussion about creating a permanent roadside memorial along Vincent Hill Road—a marker not only to remember Keith Rosato but to remind all who pass that even familiar roads can become fatal in an instant.

Grief counselors have been made available at Rosato’s former workplace, where colleagues are reeling from the news. “We lost more than a coworker—we lost a friend,” said Brian McNeely, who worked with Rosato for nearly a decade. “Keith brought humor to the most frustrating days. He made work lighter, and now it’s heavier without him.”

In an era of digital noise, the outpouring of genuine sorrow and community solidarity following Rosato’s death speaks volumes about the kind of life he led—and the absence he leaves behind.

For all the mechanistic efforts of investigation—measuring tire marks, checking brake lines, reviewing weather reports—there remains a deeper, human question: How do you move forward from a moment like this? How does a family step back into daily life when the head of their dinner table, the rider who always made it home, is suddenly, irrevocably gone?

The Rosato family has asked for privacy as they process this unimaginable loss. They have expressed gratitude to first responders, medical personnel, and the broader community for their support. In a statement issued through a family friend, they wrote: “Keith loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and rode freely. We are heartbroken, but we are also grateful to have shared this life with him.”

A memorial service is being planned for next week at Rosato’s longtime parish, with a celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Bikers Against Drunk Driving, a cause Keith Rosato supported passionately.

The tragic crash on Vincent Hill Road has left an aching void in Ontario County, a reminder that even the most seasoned riders can be caught off-guard by fate. Keith Rosato, a man of the road, died doing what he loved. And though his final ride ended too soon, his memory will endure—in stories shared, in engines revved in his honor, and in the quiet corners of a road that now bears the weight of his absence.

Deepest condolences to the Rosato family.

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