The North Smithfield community is mourning the tragic loss of Hunter Sande, a 22-year-old man remembered for his passion, heart, and unmistakable zest for life. Hunter passed away on the morning of Friday, June 6, 2025, following a fatal motorcycle accident, leaving behind grieving family, friends, and a town that knew and loved him deeply.
Born on January 1, 2003, Hunter lived his life with intensity, authenticity, and a free spirit that set him apart. From a young age, he radiated a brightness that drew people in—a warmth and boldness that never faded. Whether he was lighting up a room with laughter, standing firm in a debate, or riding his motorcycle to clear his head, Hunter lived with purpose and soul.
Motorcycles were more than a hobby for Hunter—they were his passion, his therapy, his escape. Riding wasn’t just something he did; it was how he connected with the world. The road was where he felt most alive, with the wind at his back and the horizon ahead. “He belonged in motion,” wrote his father, David Sande, in a deeply personal tribute posted to Facebook. “That’s where he felt whole.”
David’s tribute painted a poignant picture of a son who was loved beyond words and lost far too soon. “Losing him has left a space no words can fill and no time can heal,” he wrote. “I try to remind myself that he left this world doing what he loved most—with freedom beneath him, wind at his back, and the open road ahead.”
Friends also remembered Hunter as someone who brought joy wherever he went. “He had one of the biggest hearts and cared so deeply for his friends and loved ones,” one longtime friend shared. “He was always found with a smile on his face.”
Hunter’s sudden passing has left many grappling with the weight of grief and disbelief. But amid the sorrow, those who loved him are choosing to remember the way he lived—with intensity, with compassion, and with a spirit that refused to be tamed.
As tributes continue to pour in, it’s clear that Hunter Sande’s impact will not fade with his passing. His memory will endure in the roar of every engine, in the glow of every sunset, and in the hearts of those he touched.
Hunter is survived by his loving family, including his father David Sande, and a wide circle of friends who will carry his legacy forward. Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.