Police ID victims from Laconia, Belmont in Gilford crash

GILFORD — Police have identified the two victims in a crash Friday afternoon on the bypass as Grady Shoemaker, of Laconia, and Renee Privitera, of Belmont. 

Shoemaker, a 20-year-old member of the Gilford High School class of 2023, was alone in his vehicle. Privitera, 63, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Wayne Privitera, 65, who was taken by ambulance to Concord Hospital-Laconia for non-life-threatening injuries.

Lisa Sasseville, 65, of Gilford was driving in a separate car, and was also treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Officers are investigating the head-on collision which happened on the Route 3/11 bypass on Friday, the second fatal accident this year.

The collision occurred at 3:16 p.m. on Nov. 14, and the initial investigation found that at least one car involved crossed into oncoming traffic, causing a three-vehicle accident, according to Deputy Police Chief Dustin Parent.

Photographs from the scene show two vehicles in a ditch along the northbound lane, with damage to both vehicles and debris nearby. The photographer also reported damage to the southbound lane’s guardrail. There was clear weather at the time of the accident.

The accident took place near the Gilford Avenue exit. The length of the bypass was closed until about 7:40 p.m. Friday.

Parent said the accident remains under investigation, pending toxicology results and a determination of whether speed or distracted driving was a factor.

Parent said Monday the Belknap Regional Accident Reconstruction Team will help in the investigation.

“Any time there are fatalities in an accident, they are involved,” Parent said, adding he otherwise has no new information about the investigation.

Gilford School District Superintendent Kirk Beitler confirmed Shoemaker graduated from Gilford High School in 2023.

Beitler said on Monday morning he has spoken to Principal Anthony Sperazzo several times about the situation, since Shoemaker was a recent graduate. Beitler said there are resources available for any students, teachers or staff who need assistance.

“I am really sorry for the family,” Beitler said. “This is a sad, sad moment for anyone involved.”

According to Shoemaker’s obituary, he grew up in both the Gilford and Laconia school communities. He participated in the Huot Plumbing Program, and as a child played Laconia Youth Football, Silver Hawks Football, Lakes Region Lacrosse and Lakes Region Lakers Hockey.

Shoemaker had several jobs locally, serving at Hector’s and T-BONES of Laconia, and working customer service positions at Walgreens and CVS. He also helped at South End Pizza & Seafood, owned by his uncle, Micah Shoemaker.

Shoemaker survived a serious lawnmower accident when he was 9 years old, which required surgery and years of physical therapy. A benefit fundraiser involving former Boston Bruins players Terry O’Reilly and Rick Middleton was held at the Beane Conference Center in 2014, and proceeds went to his family for expenses stemming from the injury.

Following the lawnmower accident, Shoemaker struggled with mental health and substance abuse challenges, and used resources from Lakes Region Mental Health Center, Navigating Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous in his recovery, according to his obituary. In recent months, his recovery focus was with the Manchester organization Adult & Teen Challenge. In lieu of flowers at the funeral, his family is asking for donations to Adult & Teen Challenge.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home in Laconia. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, at St. Andre Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia.

No obituary or information about services for Privitera was available at press time.

Friday's crash is the third fatal accident in Gilford in the past 16 months. Tracey MacLean, 41, of Bristol, and Mary Kalista, 68, of Farmington, died in a head-on collision on July 13, 2024, also on the bypass.

On Sept. 20, a vehicle driven by Anthony J. Summers, 32, of Goffstown, allegedly crossed the center line on Lake Shore Road. Scott Blomerth, 67, and Robyn Blomerth, 59, who were riding together on a motorcycle, died in the accident. Timothy “TJ” Sullivan was riding his own motorcycle behind them, and was also hit. He was hospitalized with serious injuries, and later died. Summers faces two felony counts of negligent homicide and a falsifying evidence charge, and more charges may be added.