A quiet Sunday afternoon turned tragic on June 1st, 2025 when a motorcyclist lost their life in a crash on High Range Road in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The discovery of the rider’s blue motorcycle in the woods adjacent to the roadway underscored the severity of the incident, confirmed as fatal by the Londonderry Police Department (LPD).
The Incident
The accident occurred near the intersection of High Range Road and Royal Lane. Emergency crews, including Londonderry Police and Fire units, responded to the scene. The motorcyclist was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead.
Authorities have not yet publicly released the rider’s identity, pending notification of next-of-kin. The LPD’s Accident Reconstruction Team has launched a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and is actively seeking witnesses. High Range Road was closed in both directions for over an hour as crews worked, eventually removing the motorcycle from the wooded area with a tow truck.
Community Concerns
This tragedy has amplified existing worries among Londonderry residents about safety on High Range Road. One resident living near the crash site told reporters that accidents, particularly near the Royal Lane intersection, are “pretty typical in that area.”
Sadly, this fatality is not an isolated incident. It reflects a deeply concerning surge in motorcycle deaths across New Hampshire. State data reveals that 2023 was the deadliest year in nearly two decades, with 39 riders killed. By mid-2024, fatalities were already surpassing those of the same period in 2023.
Rockingham County, home to Londonderry, recorded the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in the state during 2023, with 11 deaths. Contributing factors identified statewide include a lack of helmet use (New Hampshire lacks a universal helmet law, and 57% of fatalities involved unhelmeted riders), operator impairment, and speed/aggressive driving – each cited in roughly 52% of fatal motorcycle crashes.
This heartbreaking loss on High Range Road serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities motorcyclists face. While New Hampshire has safety programs like “RideSMART” and rider education courses, the rising death toll indicates a need for enhanced efforts. Experts emphasize the dangers of curves and intersections for riders.
The Londonderry Police investigation into the June 1st crash continues. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LPD. As the community mourns this loss, the incident underscores the critical need for collective action – from riders, drivers, lawmakers, and road engineers – to reverse New Hampshire’s alarming trend of motorcycle fatalities and prevent future tragedies.
Video Source: wmur.com
