Police: 18-year-old driver who hit Somerville officer was speeding

NORTH HAMPTON, N.H. — An off-duty Somerville Police officer was involved in a motorcycle accident in North Hampton, NH on Route 95 on Sunday morning.

According to the New Hampshire State Police, the crash was caused by Michael Ricci, 18, who was said to be racing other vehicles when he abruptly traversed from the northbound lane into oncoming southbound traffic.

Ricci, who was driving a 2013 black Mercedes-Benz collided with a red 2003 Harley Davidson operated by officer Louis Remigio.

Remigio, 56, is said to be in critical condition, according to the Somerville Mayor.

Bill Ganley, a retired Salem NH deputy police chief, was the Good Samaritan who helped direct traffic from the scene of the crash.

"I was on my way southbound, I saw that it happened in front of me," Ganley said.

"Actually, there was a trooper monitoring traffic a little further up, I think he was running radar or laser, and then about half-mile up I could see brake lights, cars stopped and as I got up to it I could see that it was a traffic accident," Ganley said. "I could see the motorcycle down on the highway, so I was driving a work truck, so I just pulled it sideways and blocked three lanes to give them some protection, make sure they were safe while waiting for the emergency crews."

The officer was transported to Portsmouth Hospital at around 10 a.m.

The accident also caused a grey 2009 Subaru to rear-end Ricci's Mercedes. A 2015 Ford Explorer and a black Ford F-150 both sustained damage while the drivers were attempting to avoid the collision.

"There were enough people there who were providing aid to the injured. There was no need for me to go up so I just kind of hung back and helped direct traffic and get the ambulances into the scene and the troopers, etc.," Ganley said.

The operator and passenger of the Subaru, John and Jaclyn Bamford were also transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Ricci did not sustain any injuries and was subsequently arrested and charged with reckless conduct. he is currently being held on a $10K cash bail at the Rockingham County Jail while he awaits his arraignment on Tuesday at the Seabrook Circuit Court.

"Unfortunately any time you see a motorcycle down on the highway and the high speed lane, you don't think it's a good situation," Ganley said. "To hear that it happened because of someone driving recklessly, a young kid, I'm just torn up about that. It's a shame. I'm praying for that officer that he pulls through and makes it through the night. God bless him."

If you have any further information regarding this incident. please contact Trooper First Class Greg Dube at 603-223-8490.

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