LACONIA, NH. (THECOUNT) — Cameron Mosher, 28, of Dennis, Massachusetts, Miles Collette, 32, of Gilford, New Hampshire, and Jeanine Fereshetian, 33, of Laconia, New Hampshire, have been identified as the three people killed in a Saturday night crash involving two motorcycles in Laconia’s Weirs Beach area of Belknap County, New Hampshire.
The deadly collision occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday, September 12, on Route 3, also identified as Endicott Street North, near The Looney Bin Bar and Grill, Funspot and the Weirs Beach area.
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Laconia Police Chief Matthew Canfield said two motorcycles carrying a total of four people were involved. Each motorcycle appeared to have an operator and a passenger. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth person, an adult woman whose name has not been released, was flown by DHART medical helicopter to Concord Hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.
Police identified Mosher and Collette as the motorcycle operators who died. Fereshetian was identified as one of the passengers killed in the crash. Authorities have not publicly identified the surviving woman or released additional details about her medical condition beyond the initial report of life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation indicates that the motorcycles may have been traveling in opposite directions when they collided. The crash appeared to be a head-on collision, although investigators emphasized that the details remain preliminary and subject to further investigation.
One of the motorcycles caught fire following the impact. Responding officers encountered a large debris field and two heavily damaged motorcycles in the roadway. Officers attempted to assist the victims before emergency medical personnel arrived.
Canfield described the collision as a “very violent crash” in comments to local media. Investigators are continuing to determine exactly how the motorcycles collided and who was operating each vehicle at the time of impact.
The deceased victims reportedly were not wearing helmets, while the woman transported to Concord Hospital was wearing one, according to the police chief. Officials have not announced whether helmet use or the lack of helmet use will be a factor in the final investigation.
Police said it remains unknown whether speed or impairment contributed to the crash. Canfield said there were no immediate indications that speed or alcohol were contributing factors, but investigators will continue examining those possibilities.
Weather did not initially appear to be a factor. Reports indicated that the roadway was dry when the crash occurred.
The Looney Bin Bar and Grill was closing for the night when the collision happened. Staff members and customers reportedly were among the first people at the scene and attempted to help. The business later announced that it would remain closed Sunday because of the incident and the effect it had on employees and customers who witnessed the aftermath.
Canfield stressed that The Looney Bin and other nearby businesses had no involvement in causing the crash. The investigation is focused on the motorcycle collision and the actions of the riders involved.
The crash occurred during Biketemberfest weekend in Weirs Beach, a popular motorcycle and tourism destination in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. However, police said there was no indication of a direct connection between the event and the fatal collision.
Route 3 was closed in the area for several hours as investigators documented the scene, collected evidence and examined the damaged motorcycles. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation reported that the roadway reopened at approximately 8 a.m. Sunday after the overnight closure.
Police from Laconia, Meredith and Gilford assisted at the scene. The Belknap Regional Accident Investigation Team also responded to process evidence and assist with the reconstruction of the collision.
Canfield said investigators spoke with several witnesses. Authorities have not announced any arrests or charges, and no determination of fault has been released.
In a separate crash occurring around the same time, officers and firefighters were also responding to a rollover collision involving two vehicles on Rollercoaster Road. That crash resulted in one person being transported to Concord Hospital-Laconia with a minor head injury. Officials said the two-vehicle crash was separate from the motorcycle collision.
The Laconia motorcycle crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information concerning the motorcycles’ movements before the crash is urged to contact the Laconia Police Department.
Laconia is a city in Belknap County in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, approximately 95 miles north of Boston and near Lake Winnipesaukee. The crash occurred in the city’s Weirs Beach area along Route 3, near The Looney Bin Bar and Grill and Funspot.
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