3 killed in Saturday motorcycle crash

WEIRS BEACH — Three people were killed, and another was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, after two motorcycles collided on Endicott Street North Saturday night.

Police Chief Matt Canfield identified the victims as Cameron Mosher, 28, of Dennis, Massachusetts; Miles Collette, 32, of Gilford; and Jeanine Fereshetian, 33, of Laconia.

An adult female sent to the hospital has not been identified, and was taken by medical helicopter to Concord Hospital-Concord.

Three of the victims died at the scene, Canfield said. “The fourth victim has critical and life threatening injuries.”

Laconia police and firefighters responded to a report about a motorcycle accident in front of The Looney Bin Bar and Grill just before 11 p.m. on Sept. 12. Canfield said responding officers noted there was a lot of debris in the road, including two very damaged motorcycles and several victims. He also said responding officers attempted life-saving measures.

Reports from the scene are one of the motorcycles was on fire.

Canfield said the accident investigation is in early stages, and there are indications it was a head-on collision between the two motorcycles. He said it appears each motorcycle had an operator and a passenger, with one heading north and one heading south. Investigators are still determining who was operating the motorcycles.

The person sent to the hospital was wearing a helmet, but the deceased victims were not, according to Canfield.

Canfield said investigators spoke to several witnesses. He said weather did not seem to be a factor, as the roads were dry at that time. The investigation will determine if speed or impairment factored into the crash. There were no early indications those were contributing factors.

Police blocked off intersections with Route 3 and Rollercoaster Road until about 3 a.m., Canfield said.

Canfield thanked Meredith and Gilford police for assistance at the scene. The Belknap Regional Accident Investigation Team came to process evidence at the scene.

The Looney Bin, a popular restaurant and bar, was just closing for the night when the accident occurred. In a social media post, the restaurant stated staff and customers were the first on the scene and assisted. Management decided not to open on Sunday, citing the incident, and the mental well-being of staff and customers.

Canfield said officers and firefighters were at another accident on Rollercoaster Road that happened around the same time.

“We were investigating a rollover crash on Rollercoaster Road between two vehicles, so we had officers at that scene when this happened,” Canfield said.

Canfield said that accident resulted in a patient being taken to Concord Hospital-Laconia with a minor head injury. A preliminary investigation showed two vehicles traveling opposite directions, and one went into the oncoming lane. This caused a collision, with one vehicle rolling over.

Canfield commended police and firefighters for their work in what was a difficult stretch of hours Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

“It was a tough night, and our resources were stretched thin, but our team came through and did an amazing job,” Canfield said.

Canfield called the accident “tragic.”

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and the families of the victims,” Canfield said.