Family remembers Narragansett tribal member after fatal Hopkinton motorcycle crash

Family members are remembering Donald Hopkins Jr. as a devoted father, generous neighbor and respected member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe after he was killed in a motorcycle crash in Hopkinton Wednesday night. Hopkinton police said officers responded to Clarks Falls Road around 11:15 p.m. for a reported motorcycle crash. Investigators said Hopkins, 61, was riding toward the Connecticut state line when he left the roadway between Kuehn and Pine Woods roads, struck a rock and crashed into the wood line. Police said Hopkins was found unresponsive and taken to Westerly Hospital, where he died from his injuries. No other vehicles were involved. For Hopkins' children, the loss has been difficult to comprehend. "The past 48 hours have been surreal," his son, Christian Hopkins, told NBC10. His children said their father was known throughout the Narragansett Indian Tribe for always putting others before himself. "For us, as Narragansett people, it's all about what you give to the community rather than what you can take from the community," said Christian. "He really emulated that." Christian said his father regularly checked on tribal elders, delivered food and firewood to those in need and looked for ways to help others without being asked. His daughter, Evangeline Hopkins, said those qualities defined the kind of father he was. MORE NEWS: Crash blocks off part of Route 6 in Dartmouth "He was the biggest man in the room, with the biggest heart at that," she said. "And he taught all that he knew in a way that you would understand." Hopkins' children said riding motorcycles was one of his favorite hobbies. They said he loved taking Rhode Island's back roads, exploring new places and spending time outdoors. They also said there is some comfort in knowing he died while doing something he loved. "He was on his way to work. He loved to work. But yet to be on his bike and go into work and into a job that he loved - we can kind of take some solace in that," Christian Hopkins said. Hopkins worked as an engineer at Foxwoods Resort Casino, according to his family. His son, Mack Scott, said one of his father's greatest gifts was the way he treated people. "I can't think of anybody who would have a bad negative thing to say. Just a testament to the way that he carried himself, the way that he valued relationships and he valued people," Scott said. Scott said he hopes to carry those lessons forward with his own grandchildren, just as his father did with his children and family. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.