Bristol motorcyclist killed in crash Friday night in Gilford

GILFORD — A motorcyclist from Bristol was killed Friday night in a single-bike accident on Lake Shore Road.

Anthony Velez, 25, died at the scene of the crash. Velez was riding a “sport bike”-style motorcycle, and wearing a helmet, according to Lt. Adam VanSteensburg.

The crash happened near the Belknap Point Inn, an area prone to accidents, including a single-motorcycle accident during which a couple died six years ago.

Gilford Police and Fire responded to a 911 call from a minor who heard an accident at 7:01 p.m. on Sept. 25. Velez was reportedly traveling west on Route 11. Police say it appears he was not able to “negotiate the curve,” and went off the road.

“Lifesaving attempts were made, and I know CPR was in progress for a while, but ultimately, the operator was pronounced deceased at the scene,” VanSteensburg said on Friday night.

Velez was riding alone on the motorcycle, and VanSteensburg said it doesn’t appear any other vehicles were involved.

The Belknap Regional Accident Investigation Team, made up of both Gilford and Laconia police, was at the scene Friday, following the crash. Officers were there for several hours preserving and analyzing evidence. VanSteensburg said part of the investigation is to determine whether speed or impairment contributed to the crash.

“I won’t begin to speculate, but those are two things we’ll be looking at,” VanSteensburg said.

Lake Shore Road was partially closed in the area of the accident until 10:19 p.m. on Friday.

VanSteensburg said this has been a bad area for accidents over the years, including one in May, which sent a driver to the hospital with serious injuries.

George and Mary Worthington, a couple from Long Island, New York, were killed on Aug. 28, 2020, in a single-motorcycle accident near the location of Friday’s crash. The couple were riding together, and visiting for Laconia Motorcycle Week, which was held later in the summer that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The community is already mourning other recent fatal motorcycle accidents.

In nearby Laconia, three motorcyclists were killed, and one was seriously injured, in a head-on collision between two motorcycles on Sept. 14. During the crash, on Route 3 near the intersection with Rollercoaster Road, 32-year-old Miles Collette of Gilford, 33-year-old Jeanine Fereshetian of Laconia, and 28-year-old Cameron Mosher of Dennis, Massachusetts, died.

Friday's crash happened less than 3 miles north of another deadly accident in Gilford, near Country Way, about a year ago. Scott and Robyn Blomerth were killed when a vehicle crashed into the motorcycle they were riding on Sept. 20, 2025. The motorcycle operated by T.J. Sullivan was also hit, and he later died in the hospital.

VanSteensburg said Friday there didn’t appear to be any witnesses to the accident other than the caller who heard it. He said Monday morning there were rumors someone had a video of the crash. He asked anyone with video or information to notify police by calling 603-527-4737.

An online fundraiser has been set up by the Velez family to cover his funeral and other expenses. To learn more, visit gofundme.com/f/a-loving-farewell-for-anthony-velez.

Calling hours for Velez are being held at Dupuis Funeral Home, in Ashland, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, at Our Lady of Grace Chapel, in Bristol.