Hendrick team machinist is brother of slain MIT officer

The ongoing situation in Boston has hit the NASCAR family, with news that a member of Hendrick Motorsports is the brother of the MIT officer that was killed last night in Cambridge, Mass.

Andrew Collier, who works in the team’s engine department, lost his brother, 26-year-old officer Sean Collier, who was shot following an altercation on the school’s campus and was pronounced dead after arrival at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston yesterday evening. Authorities are reporting that he was killed by the suspects in Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings.

Hendrick Motorsports has released the following statement:

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports are with Andrew Collier and his family. Andrew, a machinist in the Hendrick Motorsports engine department, tragically lost his brother, Officer Sean Collier, last night in Cambridge, Mass. We ask that the family’s privacy be considered during this difficult time. Andrew, 25, joined Hendrick Motorsports in September 2008.”

Sean Collier, a native of Wilmington, Mass., had been a member of the MIT Police Department since January 2012 following a stint as a civilian employee of the Somerville (Mass.) Police Department. His family has since released a statement, saying that they were “heartbroken” by his loss.

“Our only solace is that Sean died bravely doing what he committed his life to – serving and protecting others,” the statement continued according to the Boston Globe. “We are thankful for the outpouring of support and condolences offered by so many people. We are grieving his loss and ask that the media respect our privacy at this time.”

UPDATE (1:07 p.m. ET): Per the Associated Press, Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson said the following on this matter: “My thoughts and prayers [are] with the Collier family, and I certainly know it’s the same thing with everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. We’re one big family and it’s sad to see a teammate going through this.”