Friends remember and honor musician killed in NH toll booth crash

CONCORD, N.H. — Some of Caleb Scofield's friends gathered on Friday night to honor and reminisce about their friend who lost his life in a fiery crash at a New Hampshire toll booth on Wednesday.

Besides being a talented musician, Caleb was a husband and a father, someone his friends say was a genuine friend and one of the most creative people they'd ever met.

"It’s almost as if, if you’re given exceptional talent, unfortunately you get a short run at life," said Joel Vanpatten, who's been friends with Caleb since grade school.

Caleb was a singer and bassist for popular metal bands and was well known in the local music scene. Friends who spoke to Boston 25 News said he was born to be a musician.

"His instrument was an extension of his personality its very rare to see that in the musical world where it has that emotion that comes through that transference of that coming through his instrument and that’s rare," said Vanpatten.

Vanpatten said he and Caleb have been friends for a long time, and that, in the eight grade, they formed a band together.

"We were in science class together and I had my notebook with a guitar sticker on there and it caught his eye on that and he said 'hey you play guitar' and I said 'no, im actually a drummer but I dabble in guitar' and he said 'well, im a bass player, and I have a good friend Adam who plays guitar, we should get together and jam sometime,'" said Vanpatten.

Although their band eventually broke up after high school, Scofield never stopped performing, and ended up making a name for himself in the bands 'Cave In' and 'Old Man Gloom', even signing with RCA Records.

Scofield's friends said he still had so much more to give to his fans when he crashed his truck into a jersey barrier at the Bedford, New Hampshire Toll Plaza, causing the vehicle to burst into flames. State troopers said he was trying to change lanes.

"He was one of the most creative people I ever knew, just genuine, true to his heard, genuine and solid person who would do anything for you," said Vanpatten. "He was a star that burned bright and some stars burn brighter than others, and in doing so, they don't last as long."

Although Rolling Stone published an article on Scofield's death. highlighting his accomplishments, Vanpatten said Scofield was the type of guy who would've been embarrassed about it.

Cox Media Group