YOUR COMMENTS

I love how people have to call people names because of their choice in modes of transportation, what is the matter with you people??? How do you know that Mr.Laroche (54) was not a perfectly responsible rider? Lets not forget when we talk about striking someone from the rear it's your fault that they were traveling on the spaulding which means a u-turn would be an illegal move by any one other than an officer in pursuit and that they could be travelling at highway speeds so not blaming the office or the cyclist if the officer made a sudden high speed u-turn and say the biker was travelling at 50+ plus it may have been very hard for him to respond quickly. This all just theory but all the facts are not in yet so let's wait and hear the rest of the information before we run around calling the SP and bikers names just for being who they are.
- andy, manchester

Well, I rest my case. U-turns can be deadly in heavy traffic, sometimes it is just not worth the risk to stop a traffic violator and Police Officers need to think before they hit the lights, stop short and then try to U-turn through heavy traffic.
- Russel Lindy, Dover, NH

Thanks Bill, Andover! Most people on here wouldn't admit to a misunderstanding! I appreciare it!
- Kristine, Exeter

Kristine, Exeter, Yeah I dropped the ball on that one. I saw Kristine from Andover's post then yours and I thought you were the same person. I retract my criticism of you both.
- Bill, Andover

Just thought I would point out that police officers are required to wear seat belts while on duty.. and this police officer was not injured in an accident which killed the motorcyclist, who hit the cruiser hard enough to dent it.
- Timothy Horrigan, Durham, NH

Bill, Andover, I am a little unsure of why you think I would change my tune if I am proven wrong, I don't really think that there is anything that I said that could be proven "right" or "wrong", I simply stated that it was a horrific accident, no blame on the driver of the bike or the car. What I do know is that I saw it first hand and it was terrifying. So do me a favor and don't assume to know what I am thinking, and what I assume to be what happened or where the fault lies.

Clearly, you are very defensive about something, not sure what, perhaps you drive a bike, but reread my comment, I am not placing blame on the biker, and don't intend too, regardless of the turnout.

Maybe you should be an investigator for this accident since you and Wayne seem to know what REALLY happen........
- Kristine, Exeter

The only thing we can be sure of is if it was the trooper at fault she will admit it, unlike the average biker.

Leno, Raymond
- Leno Hebert, Raymond

This is the second State Police crash in the last six months. The last one involved a trooper running over two bicyclists due to him falling asleep at the wheel. That was investigated by the state police as well. We never heard the results of that crash. Did the trooper get arrested for reckless conduct? Why are the state police the only agency that is allowed to investigate their own personnel? The Attorney General's Office investigates all suspected criminal activity involving a police officer except when it involves the state police. I guess they are the police police!
- Sam, Epping

"None of us have EVER seen bikers do THAT."

I see cars do that all the time. What was your point again? That you never pass on the right while a car in front of you is stopped making a left hand turn. You never go around them on the right, right?
- Zizzy, Manchester

To Marc in Gonic- Its a good question as to why someone from the same troop is investigating the accident. Very hard to be unbasis when she is one of your own.....
- Mike, New Boston

I for one will wait until more info comes out. None of you smart people can come to any real conclusion until it does.
- Kevin, Dover

I am hoping that Mr. Laroche has a speedy recovery which is the most important thing.

I would also like to point out that - I am sure that all of you that are blaming the Trooper for improperly making a u-turn which as many have said you have no clue to the exact cause of the accident.

With that being said I am also sure that you have never done anything illegal behind the wheel. Think about that before you decide who was at fault & then practice what you preach & never break the law while driving.
- Peggy, Manchester

So we just happened to be heading South when this happened. There where three cars parked on the pull-up lane (heading South) with what I assumed was a "fender-bender" type accident, and traffic heading South was completely stopped. We were about 6-7 cars back from this accident, which happened to be at the top of a hill.

The trooper was heading North, pulled into North side pull-up lane and made his u-turn (she made a wide turn to fit in between the cars that were stopped heading South), and the motorcycle struck her car on the left rear.

Some observations:
- Very little traffic heading North
- Trooper seemed to be approaching quite fast, siren and flashing lights were on
- Trooper made a rather wide and abrupt u-turn
- This turn was probably needed so that the trooper could fit bewteen the cars standing still on the South direction
- It was the top of the hill, the motorcyclist probably did not see the trooper slow down
- I did not see the motorcycle strike the car, but did see the rider and motorcycle tumbling while the trooper's car skidded sideways a bit

I will also say that when we finally got to keep going (about 5 minutes later), I told my 11 year old daughter to look away, as it was clear the gentleman was in significant pain. We then drove another 5-10 minutes before we saw the ambulance heading North.
- Hector, Sommerville, MA

"Gee, it must have been the Trooper's fault...."

Really? There's NO way that anyone on a motorcycle...especially the little sport bikes....loses patience in traffic and tries to conduct a little illegal passing and weaving, utilizing the breakdown lane or the left shoulder. Right? No. None of us have EVER seen bikers do THAT.
- Mark, Bedford

Kristine, Exeter so once you are proven wrong it goes from "Ah yes, the let the stupid biker comments begin." to "Regardless of how all of this happened" I see stupid comments, but it's not from the "bikers" I hope everyone reads the post from Wayne S, Manchester well said Wayne S.
- Bill, Andover

I know of a person who was involved in just what Dan, Auburn stated. Driving down 93 and the car in front of him slammed on his brakes for no apparent reason. He was in the right hand travel lane traveling next to a tractor trailer. The truck slowed down and when he did, the car in front saw a trooper was trying to cut across traffic to get to the right hand side of the roadway so he slammed his brakes on. My friend hit him from behind and was found at fault. He brought up that it wasn't reasonable to think the person was going to stop, yet the state police said otherwise and he was charged at fault.
I think that if it is the police doing the driving, someone else will be at fault. I hope the biker comes through OK and the person who is really to blame is found at fault.
- John, Concord

"Let stop placing blame and come to terms with the fact that these are horrible accidents, and they are bound to happen on a busy highway on an busy weekend!"

No let's not come to terms with this being an "accident." An accident is a chance occurrence that usually happens without an apparent cause. Two years ago when lightning struck a tree that in turn fell on a rider on the Kanc, that was an accident. What happened here was a crash and there was a most definite cause or more likely, causes. When the investigation is done, there will be a list of factors that contributed to an unsafe condition developing that ended in a crash. But we cannot become complacent and just think that "accidents happen." We need to pay more attention to what is going on around us.

IMO, with damage to the left rear quarter panel of the cruiser and both vehicles traveling in the same direction, at first blush would indicate the cruiser turned into the path of the motorcycle. In any case, hopefully there will be a legitimate investigation.
- Wayne S, Manchester

I'm sure all you folks who saw something will be calling Sgt. Berridge at 679-3333 to give a statement. I'd like to comment on the simple fact that the state police is investigating their own accident. I'm sure they are perfectly capable of doing it - but why don't they take a step back and hand it off to the regional/county traffic crash unit who can reach unbiased conclusion? Especially since there is serious injury, liability and possible charges. Just a thought. Union Leader please look into this.

Thanks,
Marc
- Marc K., Gonic NH

What color was the motorcycle? Did it have vanity plates? How long has it been since this trooper's last mamogram? Were there any black flies swarming. It was an accident for pete's sake.
- Tim, Enfield

Mike of Concord wrote :: "I agree with Tom in Manchester. Tom has deduced what happened from the article .."

Mike is a very smart person.
- Tom, Manchester, NH

Mike (Bedford),

You state "if you strike a vehicle from the rear, you are at fault".

I used to believe this as well until I sat on two juries in traffic accident cases. In this experience I learned that the determination of fault is not so black and white. Fault is complicated and considers the "reasonableness" of the behaviors of the parties involved.

For example, let's say that I was driving down Rt93 and slammed on my brakes in the left lane for no apparent reason, and the person traveling behind me then hit me. If it could be shown that the person following me was doing so in a reasonably cautious manner (adequate following distance, vigilant, etc), then I could be faulted for the accident because of my unreasonable behavior.
- Dan, Auburn

Let's not be so quick to blame the cop. Everyday I see bikers making stupid moves that could get them killed or cause a serious accident.
They think the roads belong to them and that everyone ELSE should bow to their crazy whims.
You know those things are death traps and yet you continue to ride them. You should ALWAYS put extra distance between you and anything around you, but you are determined to go as fast as possible and try and intimidate those around you.
I am sick of hearing the loud pipes debate- it doesn't save anyone at anytime because no one knows where the noise is coming from.
Stop riding in huge groups packed close together, tailgating, riding side by side and hugging the yellow line. Just doing these things alone will help keep you safe if you insist on trying to test your insurance policies.
If you are unsure how to ride properly, take a course!
I know some folks that are motorcycle enthusiasts that have driven for more than 40 years, and over 1 MILLION miles on a motorcycle and NEVER had an issue. That's because they ride smart.
Just because I don't like motorcycles doesn't make me anything but smart, you see I like to keep my brains on the inside where they belong.
If I want to risk my life, I take it to the drag strip where it belongs.
- Luke, Bristol

Yes, typically the person in the rear gets blamed for a collision - however if you make a U-turn without checking for a safe re-entry onto the travel lane - you are at fault for unsafe u-turn. My prayers are with the fellow biker for a speedy recovery. Most motorcycle accidents in are not the fault of the biker, it is the auto operator that fails to chek ALL of their mirrors before they make a lane shift. Many cases 2 just recently such as the one in Derry last week where the woman made a left turn right into the path of the biker not just a few feet away from her car, may car drivers don't even look forward, left or right!!
This accident will probably get blamed in the biker - why ?? because the cops will cover for each other.
- p lheureux, weare

Being a rider I can tell you that if a car does a hard U-turn they will go very far off the right of the road. Now if I'm coming up on them I would opt to get out of the lane they just turned into but if they did not stay in the breakdown lane and instead gun it and pull into the travel lane then I will more than likely strike them in the left side as they pull out. By that way just last week I was driving west bound on rt 202/9 in Hopkinton and everyone was skidding to a halt as the Hopkinton speed trap specialists in their cruiser was making a U-turn in front of oncoming 50 MPH traffic. Several of us had to cut into the break down lane to avoid rear end collisions or hitting the police cruiser. In fact the officer tried to make their U-turn so fast that they could not make it and had to throw the car into reverse and then back up enough to make the U-turn.
- Don Armstrong, Henniker

Russell Lindty, how do you solve these things so quickly, and all from the comfort of your arm chair? I mean, my gosh. You've done in minutes what it may take the investigators days or even weeks of collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, and taking measurements to do. The State should hire you immediately!

Before I jump to a "Lindty Conclusion" I'd be curious to know..... Was the police car on the side of the road, with an unrelated traffic stop? The car was damaged on the left rear, after all. Was the police car simply stopped in traffic while the motorcycle was weaving through the stopped cars? I see motorcycles doing this all the time. Was alcohol involved? Hey, it's a valid question. Was the trooper making a u-turn, or using one of those cut-overs? If so, did she use her lights?

As a closing thought, if the car in front of you slows or stops....for ANY reason....isn't it up to the person behind to slow down and/or stop, or....not tailgate?

I hope the motorcycle rider recovers quickly, but I also hope the trooper isn't vilified just because she happens to be a 'cop' driving a police car......
- J, Concord

Speedy recovery to the rider. As the damage was to the left rear quarter of the cruiser it would appear the bike was behind it and the troopermust have swung into the breakdown lane on the right then did the u-turn. Sounds like someone wasn't watching far enough ahead.
- Jim Wormwood, Elyria,OH

Regardless of how all of this happened, we sat in the traffic and when it was our turn to pass this mess, my stomach turned! I was nauseous all night at the sight of this poor man on the ground. Let stop placing blame and come to terms with the fact that these are horrible accidents, and they are bound to happen on a busy highway on an busy weekend!

I hope Mr. Laroche is OK. It was truly horrible!
- Kristine, Exeter

I have a feeling if a motorcycle officer ran into my car it would be my fault.
- Steve, Bedford

I almost got slammed by a cruiser that pulled a U-turn from the southbound to northbound side of the everett turnpike just north of the tolls. No lights, no signal, the cruiser fishtailed as well. i had to slam on my brakes. I blame the trooper.
- Dan, Manchester

I agree with Tom in Manchester. Tom has deduced what happened from the article. I wouldn't trust the professionally trained investigators that were actually on scene. It's also much wiser to blindly defend all fools who ride morotcycles. The only thing worse than a cop apologist is a motorcycle apologist.
- Mike, Concord

I was about 100 yards after the accident. I saw the female officer pass me as I was going south, In my rear view mirror I saw her put on her blue lights. At the same time I saw three motorcycles driving down the breakdown lane coming up on my right. I also saw the trooper make a u-turn. I thought she was turning around to get the motorcycles that were traveling in the breakdown lane.

From looking in my rear view and side mirrors, it looked like she had already made the u-turn when the accident occurred. The motorcycle involved in the accident may have been following the others in the breakdown lane and since the trooper cut thru traffic to make the turn, the motorcycle didn't see her and hit her after the turn. I saw her in the southbound breakdown lane which to me seems like she competed the turn. She wouldn't have moved the car off the road.

I also did not see a motorcycle following her but I wasn't paying attention either. I was just watching the trooper.
- Domenic, Manchester

Ah yes, the let the stupid biker comments begin.
Russell- how exactly do you figure this happened? IF the cop was making a U turn on a 2 lane highway, and turned into his path, the damage would be on the right side not the left.
Perhaps the moron biker was at fault (as usual) and was doing something that he shouldn't have been.
We might as well have a comment blaming the biker as well.
- Kristine, Andover

The trooper had to have been at fault because, "The motorcycle was a Yamaha".

What significance does the "The motorcycle was a Yamaha" have to do with any part of this story? What was the make of the SP car?

There are not enough (really, any) facts to make any conclusions at all.
- Brian, Litchfield, NH

Put $2 dollars on Russell Lindty for a first place ... seems to me he has it right. But all the cops who are lurking will attack him..
- Tom, Manchester, NH

Best wishes for Dave Laroche and sympathy for the other biker who lost his wife per AP story about bike vs guardrail crash. BTW I always ride with my HIGH BEAM turned on during daylight hours. It really is better --- just notice the diff on other bikes when you see a highbeamer coming at you in daylight. Dont care if its illegal. Dont care if cagers in front of me hate highbeam in their rearviewmirro. Yes I use the dimmer in evening and night like normal.
- Biker Bill, NH Roadways

This happened to me on my motorcycle. An old elderly trooper spun a quick u-turn to chase down people in the opposite direction and cut right in front of me! They did not use lights or a siren because he was trying to "sneak up on" the violators. Well, he snuck up on me and I hit him. And to keep his police department from having to pay my bike damage, he gave me a ticket for Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle! I fought it, but they held me until the end of court when everyone else was gone and mailed me a Guilty verdict! This guy better watch out or the do-no-wrongs will pull this over on him too!
- Andy B., Hampton, NH

Russell, If a cruiser were to perform a U-Turn and by doing so cut someone off (which implies the person cut off is traveling the opposite direction) wouldn't the damage be to the right hand side of the cruiser?
- J.G., Concord, NH

That is a very plausible conclusion. I have seen so much of this type of thing while driving. Many times the police get in such a frenzy there is no time for them to look around or even use their directionals. Last week a trooper slowed down in the left of the three lanes (read: Passing Lane) without so much as a hint of what was going on. Then, without signaling with ANY light, just pulled into a break in the guard rail. Three lanes of traffic just about came to a halt wondering what he was going to do. That was just last week. I see that happen so many times, it's hard to believe they get licenses sometimes.
- Mark, Manchester

If you strike a vehicle from the rear you are at fault. The MC stuck the rear panel, thus the bike is at fault. If the Trooper is in fact making a turn into a turn around they typically turn on their blue lights and slow down. The MC has to maintain control of their bike and slow down as well and move to the right. I am guessing he didn't do this an illegally struck the Trooper's cruiser. Too bad for him but the MC operator is at fault.
- Mike, Bedford

Ahh good, other people are seeing the facts are more important than getting the "Scoop" Not a lot of news competition here in New England so get it right the first time! My last post I was accused of being a moron because I asked a few questions someone else could have.
- Mike, Manchester

To Russell, you must be some kind of idiot making an assertion like that with only one bit of information which is the damage to the cruiser. Dont speak until the investigation is over. I can't imagine that you would ever go online and admit you were wrong either if the outcome is different than your prediction.
- Todd, Stratham

Well just how did you come to that conclusion Mr. Lindty? Seems as though NH missed a great opportunity in not employing you as an accident investigator! What an idiot!
- Perplexed Paul, Hampton, NH

Got to watch those U-turns in order to chase a violator going the other way. My bet is that this Trooper executed a U-turn directly into the path of this Motorcyclist because she failed to see him.
Just an accident, a tragic accident
- Russell lindty, Dover, NH