Methuen Man Killed, Pedestrians Injured In Motorcycle Crash
LAWRENCE (CBS) – Lawrence police are investigating a deadly early morning crash on the Lawrence/North Andover line that claimed the life of a Methuen man and seriously injured two others. Police say 64 year old William Bickford of Methuen was killed when he was struck by a car on Route 114, but police say it was a tragic series of events.
They say Bickford had struck two pedestrians who were crossing the road, then lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected onto the road. A car, described by police as a Mercedes Benz, struck him and then took off from the scene.
"You would assume they knew they struck someone. Unfortunately they didn't stop and we're on the look out for that car right now," said Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick.
Bickford's longtime neighbor John Runci says he's heartbroken over the tragedy, describing Bickford as a great neighbor who would often sit in his yard and talk with him.
"If I needed a hand he came over to give me a hand, he was that kind of guy."
Police say the two pedestrians in their 20s were seriously injured. Runci hopes whoever was behind the wheel of the car that took the life of his neighbor does the right thing.
"I'd like to see the person that did it go to police and say 'I'm sorry I did it, it was an accident and I panicked'."