Two Massachusetts Cyclists Killed, Two More Injured During Annual Event in New Hampshire

Two Massachusetts residents were killed, and two others injured, while participating in an annual bike event in New Hampshire on Saturday, according to the Hampton Police Department.

Officials said that around 8:30 a.m., Darriean Hess, 20, of Seabrook, New Hampshire, allegedly crossed over into the northbound lane on Ocean Boulevard, at the Underwood Bridge,hitting four bicyclists from Massachusetts that were part of the Annual Granite State Wheelmen Tri-State Seacoast Century ride.

Two of the cyclists, Pamela Wells, 60, of South Hamilton, and Elise Bouchard, 52, of Danvers, were killed in the crash. Both cyclists were pronounced dead after being transported to area hospitals, according to a statement from Hampton Police officials.

Two additional cyclists were injured and transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, were identified by police as Uwe Uhmeyer, 60, from Essex, and Margo Heigh, 54, of Danvers.

Hess has not yet been charged for the accident, and was transported to Portsmouth Hospital for minor injuries, police said Saturday. The Hampton Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The accident required emergency response from the Hampton Fire and Rescue, North Hampton Fire and Rescue, Seabrook Fire Department, and the Rye Fire Department. Also assisting in this investigation were members of the Seabrook Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police.

The annual Granite State Wheelmen Tri-State Seacoast Century ride takes place each year and is hosted by the Granite State Wheelmen bicycle club. The event takes riders along the Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine coastline. A century ride is typically 100-miles long and completed in a 10-hour, consecutive ride. The ride is billed as a scenic tour for cyclists, and not a race, according to the event website.

Prior to the race, riders were warned about narrow colonial New England roads, steel decked bridges, and weekend traffic. Event organizers hired additional police details to patrol the route in cruisers and unmarked cars this year.