Fatal motorcycle accident

[Sue Doe-Nym]

A Wolfeboro man , Donald Pflug, 50, was involved in a fatal accident yesterday afternoon while passing a truck towing a boat. Evidently, he hit the truck while pulling back in, then hit an oncoming motorcycle with 2 people. This tragic accident occurred on rt. 109 in Moultonborough. This is so sad, and happens every year during motorcycle week.

[fatlazyless]

It does not require the smarts of a rocket scientist to know that motorcycles are a whole lot more deadly than an automobile.

How much more deadly?

Well, according to this very long description on motorcycle safety ..... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_safety ..... "In 2016 the rate was 28 times that for automobiles."

Twenty eight times more deadly is a LOT more deadly! .....

Motorcycles are so powerful and so fast, you always need to be on top of your game, every day, riding a motorcycle.

Better a Subaru with things like a roof, four wheels, good brakes, cruise, heat, air and a drivers' left side blind spot-mini mirror! ......

[Phantom]

So sad & so true that there seems every year to be at least one fatality.

Let’s hope this is the ONLY news like this we hear as the weekend is about to go into full gear.

ps. Any word on the pair on the cycle he hit ? Sadly, they can’t be in good shape either.

[fatlazyless]

Here's a news report you can read without a subscription dated June 13, 2022 .... https://seacoastcurrent.com/nh-motor...-on-route-293/ ...
which reports "50 traffic fatalities in New Hampshire in 2022, with seven involving motorcycles."

WCAX-tv, Burlington, Vermont: June 13, 2022; .... http://www.wcax.com/2022/06/13/motor...arning-police/ ..... on Laconia Motorcycle Week-2022

Maybe there is a State of NH website with a more recent report what with https://laconiamcweek.com a-happening as June 13 was something like three days ago and today is June 16, 2022. The NH-DOT keeps up with the latest fatality death count because the DOT has a large electronic sign on Route 93-north in Campton, that posts the number of NH traffic deaths for 2022, and it also says "One is too many."

WMUR-tv, Manchester, NH: June 16, 2022; updated 7:52-pm; ..... http://www.wmur.com/article/weirs-bo...61622/40315678 ..... Weirs Blvd in the area of Christmas Island in Laconia

[mcdude]

My sympathies to the family of Donald Pflug.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by mcdude

My sympathies to the family of Donald Pflug.

You are correct, mcdude. My sympathies are with the family, for sure, something I neglected to say in my original post. It is heartbreaking, especially when you lose someone so young, and I know this from personal experience.

[TiltonBB]

It looks like this will be a tough year for accidents.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...812d6ac6c.html

On Wednesday at about 11 AM, near Johnson's, about 3 miles south of the Alton circle there was a bike on it's side and the ambulance had just left with the operator when I went by.

Monday night a female was badly injured on Weirs Boulevard near the Weirs rotary when she failed to slow down and struck the motorcycle in front of her.

[wingnuts]

Looks like another fatal, possibly double fatal this evening on Weirs Blvd. according to unconfirmed reports. Road has been closed for hours due to accident reconstruction team on site. WMUR has photo on web showing minivan on side with motorcycle partially underneath.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by wingnuts

Looks like another fatal, possibly double fatal this evening on Weirs Blvd. according to unconfirmed reports. Road has been closed for hours due to accident reconstruction team on site. WMUR has photo on web showing minivan on side with motorcycle partially underneath.

It’s hard to believe an accident of that magnitude occurred there. I was on that exact stretch of road right about that same time last night and traffic was extremely heavy and stop and go. Thursday night is probably the busiest night for Bike Week and traffic is always congested especially in that area.

Thoughts and prayers go out to those involved….so sad…

Dan

[WinnisquamZ]

Witness is saying the mini van swayed into the opposite lane which forced the motorcycle against the rail


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[chachee52]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

A Wolfeboro man , Donald Pflug, 50, was involved in a fatal accident yesterday afternoon while passing a truck towing a boat. Evidently, he hit the truck while pulling back in, then hit an oncoming motorcycle with 2 people. This tragic accident occurred on rt. 109 in Moultonborough. This is so sad, and happens every year during motorcycle week.

Heard this come in on the scanner as I was driving home from N Conway. They had mentioned that one of the victims was having a heart attack. Unclear if before or after the accident. FD doesn't give that info.
Either way is always a tragedy no matter how you look at it.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by chachee52

Heard this come in on the scanner as I was driving home from N Conway. They had mentioned that one of the victims was having a heart attack. Unclear if before or after the accident. FD doesn't give that info.
Either way is always a tragedy no matter how you look at it.

While still tragic, a heart attack would make sense on how this happened. I just could not see how the minivan could of been going that fast in that kind of heavy traffic.

So sad….

Dan

[fatlazyless]

Here's my well thought out, fantastic suggestion designed to increase the level of physical fitness for N.H. motorcycle drivers.

In order to qualify for a N.H. motorcycle drivers license, you must accomplish a 1/2-mile swim test, while holding a 15-lb concrete block, say from the Marine Patrol dock out to Locks Island and back ..... & wearing a helmet is optional.

This new 1/2-mile, Lake Winnipesaukee swim requirement will decrease the number of licensed motorcycle drivers, and raise their level of fitness. .....

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

While still tragic, a heart attack would make sense on how this happened. I just could not see how the minivan could of been going that fast in that kind of heavy traffic.

So sad….

Dan

I was talking about the accident in Moultonborough on 109. Not the Weirs. There wasn't that much traffic at that one.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by chachee52

I was talking about the accident in Moultonborough on 109. Not the Weirs. There wasn't that much traffic at that one.

Oh sorry, I see that now…

Thanks!

Dan

[WinnisquamZ]

Multi DWIs on the driver!

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...09da3738c.html


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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Multi DWIs on the driver!

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...09da3738c.html


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Unbelievable! What a piece of trash….

[Sue Doe-Nym]

That punk is going to have to live with this his entire life….but wait! Will he really even care? We have all been watching decades of permissiveness and no consequences for bad acts, and this is what happens. My heart breaks for the cyclist who was needlessly killed and his partner, who is in critical condition. 🙏

[WinnisquamZ]

He should be charged with murder! NH appears so weak on the sentencing of drunk driving


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[TiltonBB]

Another fatal motorcycle accident last night. This one was on Roller Coaster Road in Laconia.

https://www.wmur.com/article/person-...ia-nh/40327712

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Another fatal motorcycle accident last night. This one was on Roller Coaster Road in Laconia.

https://www.wmur.com/article/person-...ia-nh/40327712

Given the way I saw motorcyclists driving last night, I'm surprised we haven't heard of more.

We normally get off at exit 23 but had a pick-up to make in Laconia, so we got off at 20. The ride from Tilton to Laconia to Meredith and Moultonborough Neck was littered with horrible decisions. Bikes speeding in tricky areas, cutting across lanes and through backed up cars, etc.

I've been at bike weeks/weekends for 35 years, so I know some of this is "normal," but last night was surprisingly excessive.

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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Given the way I saw motorcyclists driving last night, I'm surprised we haven't heard of more.

We normally get off at exit 23 but had a pick-up to make in Laconia, so we got off at 20. The ride from Tilton to Laconia to Meredith and Moultonborough Neck was littered with horrible decisions. Bikes speeding in tricky areas, cutting across lanes and through backed up cars, etc.

I've been at bike weeks/weekends for 35 years, so I know some of this is "normal," but last night was surprisingly excessive.

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Think,

Both fatal accidents in the Weirs were caused by drunk drivers in a car and had nothing to do with the motorcycles. One guy was a repeat offender driving without a license and was only supposed to be driving a vehicle with an alcohol monitor attached because he was such a drunk! Curious why you would be chastising bikers and not even mentioning the obvious root cause when both instances were clearly caused by dirtbag drunks behind the wheel of vehicles and not motorcycles…

I get that some bikers drive a little crazy during bike week, but the fact is the deaths in the Weirs were not biker issues in the least and to not even acknowledge the real cause and instead chastise bikers seems a little strange…no?

Dan

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Think,

Both fatal accidents in the Weirs were caused by drunk drivers in a car had nothing to do with the motorcycles. One guy was a repeat offender driving without a license and was only supposed to be driving a vehicle with an alcohol monitor attached because he was such a drunk! Curious why you would be chastising bikers and not even mentioning the obvious root cause when both instances were clearly caused by dirtbag drunks behind the wheel of vehicles and not motorcycles…

I get that some bikers drive a little crazy during bike week, but the fact is the deaths in the Weirs were not biker issues in the least and to not even acknowledge the real cause and instead chastise bikers seems a little strange…no?

Dan

I wasn't commenting on those specific incidents but rather the week as a whole. In my 1.5 hour drive, there were at least 3 moments that were inches from major damage/fatality, so, as I said, I'm surprised there haven't been more incidents.

The sad fact is that the above examples exist independently of bike week.
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[The Real BigGuy]

Plenty of issues on both sides but DWI is the real issue. Could some of the poor decisions you witnessed been caused by alcohol? Possibly.

Unfortunately states, not just NH, take DWI far less seriously then I believe they should. To me, driving drunk is no different than shooting a gun down the middle of a street and hoping you don’t hit anyone. Penalties need to be more severe!!!!


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[Phantom]

Does anyone know why the “By Pass” was closed to traffic mid-day yesterday ? Traffic was being routed thru downtown Laconia for a good period of time.

I suspect another sad story.

[wentworthwhitbreadIII]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

A Wolfeboro man , Donald Pflug, 50, was involved in a fatal accident yesterday afternoon while passing a truck towing a boat. Evidently, he hit the truck while pulling back in, then hit an oncoming motorcycle with 2 people. This tragic accident occurred on rt. 109 in Moultonborough. This is so sad, and happens every year during motorcycle week.

Anybody have a body count on Bike week Or a source to track it. It seems like a particularly deadly year.


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[Sue Doe-Nym]

I can recall four…. The one on 109, 1 on 293, 1 on weirs blvd., and yesterday’s on Roller coaster Rd. Each one, so sad, and tragic. Every year, we hope that this won’t happen, but it does.

[Phantom]

Wentworth - Your choice of words could be rethought !

[fatlazyless]

A Vermont State Police press release, Thursday, June 16, 2022, 1343 hours on a 2018 Harley Davidson FLHX on Route 5-south in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont with the death of the passenger, a 53-year old woman from Quebec.

http://vtstatepolice.blogspot.com/20...-crash_16.html

Seems possible and maybe likely the group was enroute to Laconia Motorcycle Week ..... www.laconiamcweek.com ... ?

"SUMMARY OF CRASH: On 6/16/22 at 1343 hours, the Vermont State Police received a report of a motorcycle crash in the area of 1068 US Route 5 in Saint Johnsbury. Investigation showed a group of motorcycles traveling south on Route 5. The lead motorcycle (vehicle 2) lost control, causing the operator to lay the motorcycle down in the travel portion of the roadway. (Vehicle 1) who was following close behind attempted to avoid vehicle 2, resulting in an uncontrollable crash to occur, throwing both riders from the motorcycle."

Driving from Saint Johnsbury, VT to Laconia, NH is 87-miles and one hour, 27-minutes.

[dickiej]

America has about the most lenient drunk driving penalties in the world. Most of Europe is very strict in terms of enforcement and penalties. Many European countries have zero tolerance, or .05….repeat offenders repeatedly do jail time and lose their right to drive for many years.
And why does America have such lax enforcement and penalties?
Most of our legislators are: 1.) lawyers; 2.) drunks themselves.

[John Mercier]

He has already served time, been deemed a habitual offender, and was driving without a license.

Whenever you have an area with a lot of bars, lots of traffic, and an event that brings the two together... you are going to get this.

[8gv]

What I type now is my observation of the risks taken by some motorcyclists.

This is not in response to any of the afore mentioned accidents.

When riding a bike, any unintended contact with just about anything results in a bad day or worse.

Knowing that, I am surprised at how much risk some riders are willing to accept.

I see crotch rocket riders that weave between vehicles at highway speeds as if those vehicles were non moving pylons.

I see large groups of heavy bikes with riders who maneuver around other vehicles with inches to spare to avoid being left behind.

I see large groups of heavy bikes with riders who violate traffic laws to stay with their group.

Passenger vehicles, sometimes referred to as "cages", are often driven in ways that increase risk for riders.

The difference is that they go home (or sometimes to jail) after the crash.

Riders often go to the hospital or worse.

Ride safe out there!

[TheTimeTraveler]

Hospitals refer to motorcyclists as organ donors.

Very tasteless but unfortunately true.

[winniwannabe]

Originally Posted by dickiej

America has about the most lenient drunk driving penalties in the world. Most of Europe is very strict in terms of enforcement and penalties. Many European countries have zero tolerance, or .05….repeat offenders repeatedly do jail time and lose their right to drive for many years.
And why does America have such lax enforcement and penalties?
Most of our legislators are: 1.) lawyers; 2.) drunks themselves.

Government certainly needs an overhaul. America the Great has got to figure
out what we want and elect people who will be brazen enough to do the will
of the people. Unnecessary or preventable tragedies will haunt us if we don't
or won't look at other countries' solutions. submitted respectfully.

[8gv]

Oh and...

Riders riding in formation or side by side with a foot over the yellow line.

As if there weren't already enough reasons why this is risky, now we have texters and their lane excursions.

If one of the bikes swerves to avoid the errant vehicle and goes down, can the others avoid the ensuing mayhem?

[fatlazyless]

"Ossipee NH, Thursday, June 16, 2022, around 11:50-am: 47-year old Marcy Whipple from Bangor, Maine died while driving a 2002 Kawasaki 1500 that hit a telephone pole at the corner of Elm St and Island Path.

https://www.wmur.com/article/motorcy...ee-nh/40333096

Police said Whipple was wearing a helmet and was riding with a group of 13 motorcycles."

Once you dead, you is dead ..... the end ..... will be riding that big Kawasaki on a highway in heaven!

Ossipee is a lakes region town, east of Moultonborough and Tuftonboro.

All things considered, better a slow Subaru ..... http://www.wmur.com/article/at-least...shire/40335331 ..... than a fast Kawasaki.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by winniwannabe

Government certainly needs an overhaul. America the Great has got to figure
out what we want and elect people who will be brazen enough to do the will
of the people. Unnecessary or preventable tragedies will haunt us if we don't
or won't look at other countries' solutions. submitted respectfully.

They are doing the ''will'' of the people...
It is a cultural thing.

[Poor Richard]

I wonder what type of riding gear was being worn, if any.

I'm certainly not excusing the drunk drivers here but I know firsthand the level of protection proper gear can offer and I'm sorry to say but I saw a lottttttt of misplaced hats on the side of the lakes region roads this past week.

[John Mercier]

It is really going to be laid at the feet of the individuals.

I don't see NH passing a helmet law.
I don't see NH restricting alcohol sales.
I don't see NH shutting down Bike Week.
I don't see NH placing any vast restrictions on motorcycle sales or operations.
And I definitely don't see NH expending large sums of money to police.

Even if they did... so many other recreational formats have death-related accidents that it would have to change our entire culture.

[WinnisquamZ]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

It is really going to be laid at the feet of the individuals.

I don't see NH passing a helmet law.
I don't see NH restricting alcohol sales.
I don't see NH shutting down Bike Week.
I don't see NH placing any vast restrictions on motorcycle sales or operations.
And I definitely don't see NH expending large sums of money to police.

Even if they did... so many other recreational formats have death-related accidents that it would have to change our entire culture.

All true. But, Laconia has a public hearing on the 27th to discuss extending bar service hours in the Weirs until 1am. Thinking this may be delayed or canceled due to the recent events


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[John Mercier]

It may play a role... but the build-out of residential property in the area will be the big effect; and that isn't the City acting... that is happening in spite of the City.

Residents will want more peace and quiet; and far less carnage.

The City has to make that decision because its tax cap is based on inflation and new build. It would much rather go toward new high-density build while keeping the rates down, than have to smack into the top of the cap and still come up short.

The bars see the money to be made... the City sees the money to be lost.

[LikeLakes]

Just my 2 cents on what I observed the past week. FWIW I used to ride, haven't had a motorcycle in years and likely won't own one again due to the risks I see road-riding.

In driving all week around the southern lakes region, and yesterday around Tilton and Belmont and Laconia area, I of course saw tons of bikes. I didn't see craziness or foolish risk taking, most of my driving was during daylight so I can't comment on evening post-bar times. I saw individuals and pairs riding, some groups as well. The groups were polite and waited for good sized gaps to enter the road (I tend to slow and put flashers on to allow group rides to enter anyway), rode at very reasonable speeds. I did see some riders doing hard acceleration or changing lanes to get around cars and doing so fast, but neither of those is dangerous or improper. I honestly didn't see bikes doing stuff that would "invite" accidents. Just what I saw, I of course know it does happen.

Someone mentioned group rides - when done correctly the bikes aren't really side by side, they are staggered, not something you'll always notice from a car but you do that to allow for a swerve maneuver without taking out the bike next to you. At slow speed sometimes you go side by side to be able to talk though.

[Fritoman]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

It is really going to be laid at the feet of the individuals.

I don't see NH passing a helmet law.
I don't see NH restricting alcohol sales.
I don't see NH shutting down Bike Week.
I don't see NH placing any vast restrictions on motorcycle sales or operations.
And I definitely don't see NH expending large sums of money to police.

Even if they did... so many other recreational formats have death-related accidents that it would have to change our entire culture.

BINGO.. Spot on. And I do know something about bingo because I ran a very profitable one at Funspot for 13 Years.

[Phantom]

It’s over now for this year !

I think the shops & local economy did QUITE well judging by the amount of people around and for the first time in a while fairly nice weather (considering).

Tragicly we lost 3 lives local here (2 at the hands of drunk car drivers not reckless bikers).

Time to close this thread & stop the needless bantor !

[LikeLakes]

Why is it needless?

I agree it seemed to be a very busy year, hope the various shops and restaurants did well!

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Phantom

It’s over now for this year !

I think the shops & local economy did QUITE well judging by the amount of people around and for the first time in a while fairly nice weather (considering).

Tragicly we lost 3 lives local here (2 at the hands of drunk car drivers not reckless bikers).

Time to close this thread & stop the needless bantor !

The drunk driving is what is being discussed.
Are you suggesting the the Weirs area does not have a lot of bars? Or that just the two drivers in the accidents were the only ones to imbibe during the week? Or where the only two with alcohol-impairment?

[Fritoman]

Originally Posted by dickiej

America has about the most lenient drunk driving penalties in the world. Most of Europe is very strict in terms of enforcement and penalties. Many European countries have zero tolerance, or .05….repeat offenders repeatedly do jail time and lose their right to drive for many years.
And why does America have such lax enforcement and penalties?
Most of our legislators are: 1.) lawyers; 2.) drunks themselves.

OR

3.) Drunk Lawyers.

[garysanfran]

Another last Thursday near Christmas Island...Drunk, drugged driver.

Lives changed in a fraction-of-a-second!

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...b0fe0f3d4.html

[Woodsy]

I think the current count is 5 fatalities... (in no particular order)

Moultonborough... Biker vs, truck. Local biker clipped the bumper of the truck & trailer he was trying to pass, spun out and took out a bike coming the other direction.

Ossipee... A biker from Maine hit a pole while riding with a group of his friends.

Derry... Early 4:45am crash between an SUV and a biker.

Laconia... Biker vs. Jeep on Rollercoaster Road.

Laconia... Biker vs Suv on Weirs Blvd. This is the only accident that they have officially announced Booze/drugs were involved. (On the part of the SUV driver).

I am sure more details will become available as time goes on. Prayers for all involved.

Woodsy

[John Mercier]

The Jeep driver on Roller Coaster Rd was arrested for DWI.
https://www.wmur.com/article/person-...ia-nh/40327712

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The Jeep driver on Roller Coaster Rd was arrested for DWI.
https://www.wmur.com/article/person-...ia-nh/40327712

The Jeep driver on rollercoaster was not arrested... the SUV driver that caused the crash on Weirs Blvd was.

Woodsy

[John Mercier]

Sorry. I should have clicked on the highlighted link to discover that the article changed to the other accident.

[fatlazyless]

Here's a Vermont State Police press release on a 53-year old woman from Quebec, Judith Dion, who was a passenger on a 2018 Harley Davidson FLHX that crashed in Saint Johnsbury Vt on Thursday, June 16 at 1:43-pm which is very close to the Vt-NH border. Waterville Valley attracts a big group of Quebec-Harley Davidson riders so could be they were headed to a hotel, there, for Laconia Motorcycle Week.

http://www.vtstatepolice.blogspot.co...-crash_16.html

Another motorcycle fatality happened on same day, Thursday, June 16 when 47-year old Marci Whipple from Bangor, Maine hit a telephone pole on Elm St in Ossipee, NH on Thursday around 11:50-am. She was driving a 2002 Kawasaki 1500 with a group of 13 motorcycles when it struck a telephone pole. She was wearing a helmet.

http://www.wabi.tv/2022/06/19/bangor...orcycle-crash/

[ishoot308]

Just saw where the rider who was killed on Rollercoaster Rd during bike week was a Laconia resident and the Captain of "The Dive"...

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/comm...7867c98fe.html

Very sad...

Dan

[Blyblvrd]

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[samosetguy]

On the subject of drunk driving, I can't believe that Richard Conrod will basically only do 4 years for killing a woman. I am so traumatized by that accident because I drive that stretch of road so frequently (as does my family). The guy recklessly plows head on into that family while plastered drunk killing the mother and only gets FOUR YEARS. That is unbelievable. That's not justice. That's a joke.