Driver accused in Sept fatal motorcycle accident allowed to attend religious services

Anthony J. Summers appeared in court Tuesday, for the first time since being put on house arrest. During a brief conference, Judge Elizabeth Leonard granted a request that allows him to attend church services.

The Goffstown resident is facing seven felony charges, after allegedly crossing the center line of Lake Shore Road in Gilford on Sept. 20, hitting two motorcycles and killing three people. The dispositional conference was held Feb. 17 in Belknap Superior Court, in Laconia.

Summers, 32, is facing three felony charges of negligent homicide while drunk driving; three felony charges of negligent homicide; and a felony charge of falsifying evidence after refusing a blood draw.

Scott Blomerth was operating one motorcycle, with his wife Robyn as a passenger. The Alton couple both died at the scene. The second motorcycle was operated by Timothy “TJ” Sullivan, who was hospitalized after the accident, and later died from injuries on Oct. 5.

The accident took place near Country Way, and eyewitnesses told officers a 2025 Ford Bronco driven by Summers was well over the line when he collided with the victims. He admitted at the scene he turned his focus from the road, looking at his passenger, as the accident occurred.

Summers refused a blood draw, a felony charge, and ultimately registered a 0.027 blood alcohol content six hours later, after a warrant was issued to perform the draw. Officers at the scene reported his eyes were bloodshot. The defense maintains Summers was not impaired, and his BAC was under the legal limit. His attorney Alex Yiokarinis, of Russman Law Offices, stated in a previous hearing one of the motorcycle operators had a BAC above 0.08, the legal limit.

Summers first appeared in Laconia District Court on two negligent homicide charges, as well as a falsifying evidence charge, before his case was elevated to Belknap Superior Court on Oct. 1.

Summers was initially denied bail, and held at the Belknap County House of Corrections. On Dec. 19, he was indicted on seven felony charges. He appeared in court Jan. 6, where Yiokarinis requested bail, which was granted, and Summers was put on house arrest.

Summers was released from jail Jan. 21, with stipulations including no driving, and staying home except for work or court-approved actions like medical appointments or case-related meetings.

In the order, Leonard wrote that after considering information presented at the bail hearing, the court found a release on Summers' promise to return to court, through house arrest, was appropriate.

Instead of the jail attire of his previous appearances in court, Summers was dressed in a suit and tie, and accompanied by supporters on Tuesday. There were several cases before him, and he sat alongside Yiokarinis before being called.

The hearing lasted less than five minutes, with County Attorney Keith Cormier requesting that another dispositional hearing held in 60 to 90 days.

“The parties need a little more time,” Cormier said.

Yiokarinis told Leonard the defense was in the process of obtaining the results of the accident reconstruction, and they were not ready for conversation about how to move forward in the case.

Leonard approved scheduling the next conference, then Yiokarinis reminded the judge about a bail amendment proposal. On Feb. 6, Yiokarinis filed a motion to amend bail for Summers to attend religious services.

On Tuesday, he told Leonard the decision was still pending, and the request included a specific location and time.

“The court will grant him the motion to amend,” Leonard said. “It will get processed right away.”

A dispositional conference, where discussion about a potential plea or how to proceed to trial occurs, has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 22, in Belknap Superior Court.