Harley Rider Dies in Crash w/ SUV; His Wife Seriously Injured
August 17, 2010
A fatal motorcycle collision with an SUV driven by a New Hampshire state representative claimed the life of a 45-year-old NH biker in Alfred, Maine on Friday. The motorcyclist’s wife was also seriously injured in the crash.
The SUV – a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox - operated by Laurie Boyce, 58, of Alton, was traveling on Saco Road about 4:30 pm when she made a left turn onto Route 111 east and struck the 2006 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by Shane McCarthy, 45, of Lee. His wife, Lezlie Perham, 41, was riding on the back of the motorcycle.
Police said Boyce was turning left onto Route 111 when she struck McCarthy’s motorcycle, “She said she didn’t see him coming.”
The SUV’s front grill smashed into the front tire of the motorcycle, knocking it over and throwing the bike passenger over. The SUV then dragged the bike a short distance, police said.
McCarthy, who was wedged between the bike and the SUV’s undercarriage following the crash, was pronounced dead on the scene. His wife was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland in a critical condition. According to a hospital spokesman, she was in satisfactory condition over the weekend.
Both McCarthy and Perham were wearing helmets.
Drugs and alcohol were not contributing factors in the crash, police said. It is not yet known if Boyce or McCarthy were speeding. The cause in the crash is yet to be determined.
We feel sorry for the death of Shane McCarthy, and we sincerely hope his wife, Lezlie Perham, will soon recover from her injuries.
Posted Under: Motorcycle Accidents Tags: injured in a motorcycle accident, motorcycle accident, motorcycle fatality, motorcycle struck by car
Reader Comments
Shane McCarthy was killed tragically on August 13, 2010, and his wife Lezlie was critically injured. This story was a very tiny blip in the news. I was on this accident scene within a minute, it was very, very horrific. I will never forget those images. I still had not seen anything in the news except a little item that said the driver of the SUV was Laurie Boyce NH State Representative. I finally emailed my local paper on Sunday the 15th, I then saw article on this accident on the 17th. Kind of stinks to me like a cover up.
There have been all kinds of excuses made for Laurie. The sun wasn’t a factor it was to her right and behind trees Shane was coming from her left. She hit him HARD. She said she didn’t see him. I was taught in Drivers Ed, look left, right, left. He was coming from her left.
She has still to give her written statement to the State Police. What, does she not have enough time? She seems to have enough time to run for re-election. This is someone who is supposed to be a representative of the people of the State of NH. Shane was a resident of NH, what about him.
Why are the news stations not running this? Everything today is a story, but, apparently not Shane’s. I invite people to go to Facebook and search for Shane’s memorial page. In Loving Memory of Shane Squire McCarthy. See the person he was, the life that was ripped away, way too early.
Shame on the news stations for ignoring this, sweepinig it under the rug. Shame on Laurie Boyce for not doing her duty and giving her written statement, not saying a word to the family, shame on all of you who are making excuses for her. Who is fighting for Shane. I will. I didn’t even know him and he has impacted my life beyond belief.
Well, I did know Shane McCarthy well Vickie and can tell you that besides being a very kind, sensitive and good man. He also drove his motorcycle in a responsible manner always. He was driving home after visiting his disabled sister who lives in Biddeford, ME.
I agree 100% that this tragic and needless accident was/is being swept under the rug seemingly because of the fact that Laurie Boyce is a State Rep. The article above calls Shane a “Biker?”
I suppose that all people who ride bikes are considered bikers ???
That said, although Shane did drive a Harley, I certainly would not call him a biker dude…
Does calling someone a biker make this of less importance to the Maine State Police ?
This question really does have to be asked as Vickie wrote above, this was barely a blip on a very few news organizations ?
God Bless you Shane, may you rest in peace my friend.
I pray that Lezlie will recover to the extent she has some quality of life after extensive injuries and the loss of her soul mate. Vickie, thanks for your well written, on point and heart felt comments.
The same thing happened 15 yrs ago to my good buddy David Maurice in Biddeford, the corner of rte 1 and Connector Road.
a gal plowed right through him turnig left , speeding, saying the same thing…didn’t SEE him..what a crock of shit that was ..In a hurry to go no where… Hope you can get some justice from this so called rep.