Uncle of Aaron Hernandez Killed in Moped Crash

The Bristol, Conn., man who died in a moped crash just after 1 a.m. Saturday is the uncle of former Patriots player and murder suspect Aaron Hernandez, according to a law enforcement source.

Robert J. Valentine, 49, of Stafford Avenue, died after crashing his moped on Central Street in Bristol. Valentine is the brother of Terri Hernandez, Aaron's mother, authorities said.

According to police, Valentine, 49 was heading north on Central Street near Church Avenue when he hit a curb on the right-hand side. Valentine lost control and was thrown from the moped onto a private driveway.

Police said Valentine was not wearing a helmet.

Hernandez has been charged in the Boston murder of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd. Lloyd's body was found on June 17 in an industrial park a mile away from Hernandez's home in North Attleboro, Mass.

Authorities have also searched a home at 114 Lake Street in Bristol and have been conducting an ongoing dive search in Bristol's Pine Lake, where they believe the murder weapon may have been tossed.

This is the second death of a Hernandez family member since the former Patriot was thrust into the public eye. On June 3, Hernandez's cousin by marriage, Thaddeus L. Singleton III, died after driving his car into the Farmington Country Club building.