More charges likely for driver in fatal motorcycle crash after 3rd victim dies

Prosecutors say the driver of the vehicle who hit two motorcycles last month in Gilford could be facing additional charges, after the third motorcycle rider involved in the head-on collision died on Sunday. The victim had been in intensive care in the hospital since the accident on Sept. 20.

Timothy “TJ” Sullivan, 62, of Franklin, died at 11:03 a.m. on Oct. 5, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, according to Gilford Deputy Police Chief Dustin Parent. Sullivan was hospitalized since the day of the accident with unspecified injuries, described as “critical” by police. Sullivan was initially taken to Concord Hospital in Concord for treatment before being moved to Boston. 

On Sept. 20, Scott Blomerth, 67, and Robyn Blomerth, 59, were riding together on a motorcycle in front of Sullivan when they were all hit by a 2025 Ford Bronco driven by Anthony J. Summers, a 32-year-old resident of Goffstown, driving eastbound with his wife. The Blomerths were pronounced dead at the scene, and Summers was charged with two counts of negligent homicide. He was also charged with falsifying evidence after refusing a mandatory blood sample. Each charge is a felony.

According to affidavits provided to Laconia District Court, Summers was allegedly well over the double yellow line of Lake Shore Road when he collided with the pair of motorcycles. One witness told police he was 50%-60% over the lines, while another said his passenger tires were touching them. Summers allegedly told police he was talking to his wife, and looked back to the road as the accident occurred.

County Attorney Keith Cormier told Judge Laura Lombardi during Summers' bail hearing last week that there was evidence Summers was impaired; he had “glossy” and “bloodshot" eyes. He also allegedly told police, “We’re not going to do that,” about a mandatory blood draw, and threatened to sue officers if they attempted to take blood from him.

After Sullivan’s death, Summers could be facing an additional charge, but Cormier said the evidence still needs to be reviewed.

“Given the situation, we will review everything from the Gilford Police Department and medical professionals, and most likely will be presenting another charge to the Grand Jury,” said Cormier.

Cormier said with bringing charges before the Grand Jury, there are aspects of the case, such as search warrants and other evidence that comes in, which can “change the complexion.” He said this could be as simple as how charges are worded.

Cormier explained since Summers waived his right to have a hearing to determine the validity of evidence in his case, and a bail hearing already took place in Laconia District Court last week, the case now needs to be elevated to Belknap Superior Court. This had not been done as of Monday morning, but Cormier said there is a 10-day window to do so. Once the case is moved to Superior Court, a 90-day clock starts for Cormier’s office to present charges to a Grand Jury for indictment.

While defense attorney Alex Yiokarinis requested $25,000 bail at a Oct. 1 hearing, which Lombardi considered, it was ultimately denied, and Summers is being held before trial at Belknap County Jail.

A message left with Yiokarinis requesting comment was not returned by press time.

Pillars of the local motorcycle community

Sullivan and the Blomerths had friends throughout the Lakes Region, according to their friend Lori Tsouprakos, who was at the bail hearing and spoke with The Laconia Daily Sun on Monday.

She said the deaths are a definite hit not only to the countless bikers who knew them, but also tenants of Spring Haven Campground, which the Blomerths owned. Like Tsouprakos, Sullivan was a tenant there, loved for his enthusiasm in providing a place to gather and enjoy each other’s company.

“As far as Spring Haven was concerned, he was the guy who always had the campfire going,” Tsouprakos said. “It is going to be hard without him. Everyone knew when he was there, because he would get the fire started right away. The campfires just won’t be the same.”

Tsouprakos also said Sullivan was integral in his work with the businesses on Tower Hill in Weirs Beach where he and his friends frequented, and was heavily involved with Biketemberfest. Sullivan was listed as an administrator on the Biketemberfest Facebook page, along with Tower Hill Tavern owner Anthony Santagate, who said, “TJ was a great friend. I miss him a lot.”

“He was just an amazing person,” Tsouprakos added. “He had such an impact on the biker community.”

Meghan Doptis, who is Santagate’s business partner and general manager at Tower Hill Tavern and The Fancy, was a longtime friend of Sullivan's, like many regular customers. She said he was crucial to Tower Hill and an extended part of their family.

In 2018, when Santagate purchased Paradise Beach Club on Lakeside Avenue near Tower Hill Tavern, Sullivan was immediately involved in getting it ready to transform it into The Big House. He would also travel around New England to expos with Santagate to promote Biketemberfest, showing off a video and passing out flyers. He also worked as door security at Tower Hill Tavern for several years.

“He was everyone’s big brother,” Doptis said. “The evening before, I called him on video chat, and he was wearing his Tower Hill Army hat. He loved that hat. I said, ‘You have that hat on because we are an army. We are family. We stick together and got your back.’”

Sullivan was a lover of live music, notably the bands Deja Voodoo, Jackie Lee, and Mickey Maguire and the Blues Express, who play often locally.

Sullivan also just finished chemotherapy for a second cancer diagnosis. Doptis said he didn’t want to go through it, but he loved his family so much.

“He loved his grandkids and kids, and loved his girlfriend Christine, who he had been with for 15 years,” Sullivan said. “He would give anyone anything. TJ always wanted to live life to the fullest, ride, and make lots of memories, lots of laughs.”

A celebration of life and fundraiser is in the works.

“We will have something at The Big House in the next few weeks,” Sullivan said. “There will be lots of music, lots of family, and lots of laughs and tears.”