NORTHWOOD, NH — The Northwood police officer who was struck by a motorcyclist and seriously injured on Route 4 during a Memorial Day parade has been identified, state police said.
Officer Joseph Dyrkacz underwent surgery on his leg Tuesday morning “and is doing well,” state police said in a statement Tuesday.
Dyrkacz is a part-time officer with the Northwood Police Department, according to the department’s website.
Logan Goodwin, 21, of Rochester, an unlicensed motorcyclist, is accused of striking and seriously injuring Dyrkacz, who was signaling him to stop on Route 4 as the Memorial Day Parade concluded in Northwood, state police said.
Goodwin was charged with reckless conduct (B felony), second-degree assault (B felony), disobeying a police officer and operating without a motorcycle license, state police said. Goodwin was held at the Strafford County House of Corrections pending his arraignment on Tuesday.
Dyrkacz was taken by ambulance to Concord Hospital with serious injuries after the incident, state police said.
At approximately 10:15 a.m. Monday, Strafford police attempted to pull over a 2003 Honda motorcycle traveling through their town that was seen driving recklessly, state police said.
The motorcycle “continued at a high rate of speed” through Strafford until it crossed into the town of Northwood and traveled down Bow Lake Road onto Route 4, state police said.
Northwood police stopped vehicular traffic along Route 4 as the Memorial Day parade concluded, state police said.
Police officers stopped pursuing the motorcycle “due to dangerousness,” and the motorcyclist was seen turning westbound on Route 4 at a high rate of speed, with no officers in pursuit, state police said.
As officers remained along Route 4, in position for parade safety, Dyrkacz heard the motorcycle speeding in his direction.
In response, Dyrkacz entered the westbound travel lane and attempted to signal the motorcyclist, later identified as Goodwin, to stop.
Instead of giving in, Goodwin continued forward and struck Dyrkacz, who was thrown to the ground, state police said. The motorcycle stopped on its side.
Goodwin suffered only minor abrasions and was medically cleared at the scene of the crash, state police said.
The New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit responded, along with Northwood Police, Strafford Police and the Northwood Fire Department.
Authorities closed a portion of the westbound travel lane for several hours while investigators were on the scene.
The accident remains under investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has information about any of these events, is asked to contact Sgt. Brian Ross at Brian.J.Ross@dos.nh.gov or 603-931-2738.
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