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Motorcyclist Killed in Collision on Houston Street

By  Janon Fisher and Andrea Swalec | August 21, 2013 5:34pm | Updated on August 22, 2013 12:24pm

 A motorcyclist in his 30s was killed at the intersection of Houston and LaGuardia Place Wednesday afternoon.
West Houston Street Motorcycle Crash
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SOHO — A motorcyclist died in a collision with a minivan on West Houston Street Wednesday afternoon after he ran a red light, police said.

Larry Olavarria, 32, was riding east on West Houston Street when he smashed into the driver's side of a minivan driving north at the intersection of LaGuardia Place about 4:20 p.m., FDNY and police officials said.

"It sounded like a bomb went off," said Priel Maman, 39, the owner of a hair care company in Queens, who was having drinks nearby on the deck of Dos Caminos restaurant. "The bike collapsed and the guy fell on the ground. Everyone outside was shocked."

Olavarria, a member of the Lost Boyz motorcycle club, was pronounced dead at the scene, cops said.

His body remained in the street covered by a sheet until after 6:30 p.m. 

Olavarria's friends rushed to the scene in tears as dozens of pedestrians looked on. His mangled motorcycle, helmet and one tan work boot were strewn in the street.

Loved ones mourned the native New Yorker known as "LayLow" on social media and with a memorial in front of the Lost Boyz clubhouse on East Second Street between Avenues A and B.

"My prayers and condolences go to the families of a union brother who just passed away today," Joshua Hernandez, who identified himself as Olavarria's coworker, wrote on Twitter.

"My heart goes out to his loved ones and the Lost Boyz for the lost of your brother. I send you all tons of love…." Twitter user @RoZeppelin wrote, identifying herself on Facebook as Olavarria's friend.

Olavarria regularly posted on his Facebook page news articles about motorcycle crashes.

The driver of the green Voyager with New Jersey plates remained at the crash scene and was not charged, police said.

Police blocked traffic on West Houston Street in both directions Wednesday and closed sidewalks as detectives investigated the cause of the crash.