Police Warn Motorcyclists to Use Caution on Roads

New Hampshire State Police are warning motorcyclists to slow down and drive with caution following an accident-filled weekend that included a fatality in Manchester.

WMUR recently reported that in 2012, at least 24 people died in motorcycle crashes, and with the arrival of spring weather, motorcyclists are returning to the roadways.

Lt. Gregory Ferry, of the New Hampshire State Police, said speed combined with being back on the road for the first time in months can spell danger for motorcycle riders.

On Saturday, Nashua resident Alan Monas Jr., 26, died when he lost control of his motorcycle on the Exit 4 northbound off-ramp on I-293 in Manchester. Just minutes before the accident Monas was cited in Merrimack for driving 86 mph on the F.E. Everett Turnpike. Police have not said what caused Monas to lose control. According to NH State Trooper Stefan Czyzowski, Monas was wearing a full face helmet at the time of the accident.

Also over the weekend, a Nashua man was charged with driving while intoxicated when his motorcycle struck another vehicle in Hudson on Saturday.

Alexander Pelkey was taken to Southern New Hampshire Regional Medical Center to be evaluated for injuries following the accident. Police say he was not wearing a helmet.

On the Seacoast, a Newmarket man suffered a serious head injury when, for unknown reasons at this time, his motorcycle toppled on him as he was exiting his driveway on Wadleigh Falls Road.

Michael Kashian, 30, was not wearing a helmet and sustained a serious head injury when he struck the asphalt, Newmarket Police told the Portsmouth Herald. He was pinned under the 517-pound motorcycle in the middle of the road, police say.

Last year, a Michael Lo Verme, 24, a young Merrimack father, was killed over Father's Day weekend when his bike collided with multiple vehicles as he was entering the Everett Turnpike in Nashua. And at the start of Labor Day weekend Ronald Flora, 57, of Hudson, was killed when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle on Baboosic Lake Road, right in front of the police station.

Each season, the state offers classes for riders who want to practice their skills. There are three classes based on rider experience levels:

• The Basic Rider Course is an introductory course intended for new riders with little or no experience. This class allows you to obtain your motorcycle endorsement without further testing at the DMV.
• The Intermediate Rider Course is a follow-up course for students who have taken the Basic Rider Course within the past year. The course provides an opportunity for more riding practice and a re-test for students who did not pass the Basic Rider Course the first time.
• The Experienced Rider Course is intended for riders with a minimum of one year and/or 1,000 miles riding experience, who want to further hone their riding skills. Riders in this course use their own motorcycles.

Anyone interested in taking the class can call the Motorcycle Rider Training Office at 603-227-4025.