A 35-year-old Moroccan man, Jamal Ait Lahcen, died in a motorcycle crash in Ocala, Florida, while returning from work. His friends and the local Moroccan community have launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate his body to Morocco and support his family. Friends in Ocala, Florida, are coming together to repatriate the body of their Moroccan friend, Jamal Ait Lahcen, who tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident over the weekend. The 35-year-old was returning home from work when his motorcycle collided with a car at a busy intersection. Despite being rushed to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Jamal succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Police confirmed the crash remains under investigation as they work to determine which driver had the right-of-way. «His passing was sudden, heartbreaking, and has left an enormous void in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him», wrote Jamal's best friend, Abdelhafid Marouani, in a heartfelt message posted on GoFundMe. Abdelhafid launched the fundraising campaign with the support of other members of the Moroccan community in Ocala. The funds raised will go toward repatriating Jamal's body so that he can be buried in Morocco, as per his family's wishes. «We are raising funds to support his family during this incredibly difficult time», Abdelhafid added, «helping cover funeral expenses and giving them some relief as they grieve». Friends rally in grief and unity Abdelhafid, mourned Jamal's loss, remembering him as «one of those people who brought light wherever they went, whether it was through his big laugh, his love for riding, or the way he always showed up when someone needed help». Speaking to Yabiladi on Tuesday, Yassine, another close friend, described Jamal as «a humble, down-to-earth person, loved by everyone in the community». He confirmed that the Moroccan Consulate in Miami is aware of the accident and is «helping concerning the matter». Jamal had been living in the United States for the past five years. He worked at E-One, a fire apparatus manufacturer, where he was known as a hardworking and reliable employee. According to Yassine, Jamal came from «a very poor family» in Morocco, making the fundraising campaign not only essential for covering the costs of repatriation and funeral arrangements but also a way of supporting his loved ones back home. «Abdelhafid is in charge of all the work and he is going above and beyond to make sure everything is taken care of, along with other friends», Yassine reassured, highlighting the solidarity within the Moroccan community in Ocala. The campaign has seen an outpouring of support, with over 300 people coming together to raise more than $20,000 toward the $30,000 goal.
