HAMPTON, CT — A motorcycle crash at a rural Hampton intersection sent a passenger to Hartford Hospital by LIFE STAR helicopter with serious injuries Saturday afternoon, after the bike collided with a guardrail and overturned.
Emergency crews responded to the scene on April 19 at approximately 12:10 p.m. following reports of a motorcycle down at the intersection of Route 6 and Bigelow Road.
According to Connecticut State Police Troop D, the crash involved a Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by 65-year-old William Rivers of Auburn, Massachusetts. His passenger, 60-year-old Dianne Drown of East Baldwin, Maine, suffered suspected serious injuries.
Police reports indicate that Rivers was heading eastbound on Route 6 behind two other vehicles. One of the witnesses had come to a stop, attempting a left turn onto Bigelow Road.
The second witness maneuvered around the right side of the first vehicle to continue on Route 6. At that point, Rivers attempted to pass both vehicles on the right. The motorcycle then veered off the right side of the road, struck a guardrail end, and overturned, ejecting both occupants.
First responders from the Hampton Fire Department, KB Ambulance, and state police located both individuals upon arrival. “Drown had suspected serious injuries,” the police noted in their official report.
A LIFE STAR helicopter was dispatched, and a landing zone was established near the Hampton Fire Station. Drown was airlifted to Hartford Hospital. Rivers was transported by KB Ambulance to Windham Hospital for injuries not classified as serious.
Following the investigation, police determined that Rivers was responsible for the crash. He received a verbal warning for “Failure to Drive in the Established Lane,” as documented in the case summary.
No other injuries were reported, and police have not indicated further charges. The roadway was cleared shortly after the crash, and traffic resumed normal flow.
