On a warm Friday afternoon in June, 2019 police responded to a horrific scene on a New Hampshire highway. A pickup driver crossed over a double yellow line, killing seven motorcyclists and injuring three others. The victims of the crash were members Marine Jarhead, a New England motorcycle club dedicated to supporting veterans’ causes. The crash occurred while the bikers were riding to a charity event at a local American Legion.
At the time of the crash, the pickup truck was working for a trucking company located in Massachusetts. He was later arrested for seven counts of negligent homicide. According to the Boston Globe, he was “high on drugs and said he was reaching for a drink on the passenger side of his 2016 Dodge pickup truck when the vehicle crossed the highway’s yellow center line and crashed into a group of motorcyclists in New Hampshire in late June, according to a federal inspection report obtained by the Globe”.
Motorcyclists are often put in harm’s way through no fault of their own due to negligent and reckless drivers. Below are important safety tips for sharing the road with motorcyclists:
Always drive distraction free. Remember, just because you’re not texting does not mean you are distraction free. Other examples of distraction include daydreaming, staring at your navigation, and getting swept away in a conversation with your passengers.
Never drive drowsy. According the National Safety Council, driving while drowsy is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Abide by the speed limit. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports: Speeding endangers everyone on the road: In 2017, speeding killed 9,717 people, accounting for more than a quarter (26%) of all traffic fatalities that year.
Our hearts go out to the families of those involved in the tragic New Hampshire crash. To learn more about victim support efforts visit the Marine Jarhead mc website.