Local News
Michael Earl was “the absolute perfect employee, friend and family guy,” The Clam Box said.
Michael Earl. GoFundMe
June 22, 2026 | 1:41 PM
1 minute to read
An East Brookfield restaurant has temporarily closed its doors after one of its employees was killed in a crash just outside the business Saturday afternoon.
Michael Earl was “the absolute perfect employee, friend and family guy,” The Clam Box wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. In earlier posts, the restaurant said it would remain closed until further notice “due to the nature of the accident.”
The East Brookfield Fire Department said authorities were dispatched to West Main Street around 3:40 p.m. Saturday for a “very difficult call” that required a medical helicopter transport. According to East Brookfield police, accident reconstruction crews also responded to the scene of the “serious” motor vehicle crash.
The Clam Box identified Earl, an employee of several years, as the person fatally injuried in the crash.
“Michael you were the exact definition of a great person! Your smile was infectious, your laugh contagious,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook, noting the young employee had “the whole world” ahead of him.
The restaurant also shared a link to a GoFundMe page collecting donations to help Earl’s mother with funeral costs and living expenses.
“To his family we have no words that could ever express how [deeply] sorry we are for your loss,” The Clam Box added. “Yesterday is a day we all wish we could have back and alter the outcome. … Please give us time to do this correctly as we pray, grieve and remember Michael.”
Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.
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