The 87th annual Laconia Motorcycle Week would be remembered as being a peaceful one with only a few arrests, the Citizen of Laconia reported, though outside of Laconia, last week brought news of numerous motorcycle accidents, some even ending in a tragic loss of life.
The motorcycle event closed on Sunday with no major accidents or arrests at the rally. There were some minor events though that required the presence of Laconia police and fire departments, like an incident in which a motorcyclist hit a pedestrian.
The previous day police in surrounding towns were busy with motorcycle and car accidents that resulted in serious injuries.
- A 55-year-old Vermont biker riding in a group with other motorcyclists was hit by a vehicle making a U-turn on Parade Road in Meredith, NH. Police said that the driver, an 18-year-old New Hampton man had missed a turn and struck the biker as he made a U-turn to correct himself. The biker was hurt in the crash and was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
- Two Massachusetts motorcyclists were injured after their motorcycle crashed on Paradise Drive, near Route 109 in Moultonboro. David Alverti, 58, and Vicki Maloney, 53, crashed into rocks and a tree, the police said, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
The more serious motorcycle accidents that occurred during the week occurred three days in a roll, and included the death of Christopher F. Magistro, 42, from Bradford, who was killed on Saturday after failing to negotiate a curve and crashed into a utility pole on Route 114 in Warner, the state police said.
Another motorcyclist died after failing to negotiate a turn only a day before. The man, who has not been named by police, crashed after leaving the roadway on Roller Coaster Road in Laconia, and was pronounced dead at the scene, the police said. Speed might have been a factor in his accident.
On Thursday, Michael Bator, 56, from Taunton, MA, was killed in a pickup truck collision in Campton, NH, after his Harley-Davidson motorcycle crossed the center line on Route 175 crashing into an oncoming pickup truck.
On the same day, a Laconia police officer, Kathleen Yale, 56, was hit by a drunk motorcyclist, Zachary Morton, 27, of Manchester, while patrolling on a bicycle on Lakeside Avenue, the police said. Yale suffered minor injuries in the crash.
Some of the fatal accidents that occurred this season include motorcyclists who were not wearing helmets, as well as bikers who were travelling at night, or under the influence.
Drivers and motorcyclists are reminded that they need to exercise extreme caution on the roads this summer, and to pay extra attention to other motorists and motorcyclists that share the road with them. The winter season will send motorcycle enthusiasts in hiding until next spring, but for now we all need to be aware of their presence and remember to look out for them, as motorcyclists are more vulnerable in the event of crash.
