Litchfield, New Hampshire — The Litchfield Police Department has announced a significant development in a tragic motor vehicle crash that claimed the life of an unidentified male motorcyclist on the evening of Wednesday, April 30, 2025. John Burke, 19, of Hudson, New Hampshire, has been arrested and formally charged in connection with the incident. Burke is facing multiple serious charges, including Second Degree Murder, following an intensive investigation that revealed the deadly collision was not accidental but intentional.

The incident unfolded at approximately 9:17 PM when both a crash notification from Toyota Safety ConnectⓇ and a 9-1-1 call alerted authorities to a motor vehicle collision on Route 102, between Cutler Road and Woodburn Road. Emergency personnel from the Litchfield Police Department, Litchfield Fire Department, Hudson Ambulance, and Londonderry Fire Department swiftly responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, first responders encountered a devastating scene: a Toyota Corolla and a Mitsubishi Outlander had been involved in a head-on collision. Nearby, a motorcycle was found in the woodline, its rider—an adult male wearing a helmet—was discovered unresponsive on the shoulder of the road. Tragically, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Mitsubishi Outlander sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene before being released. The driver of the Toyota Corolla—subsequently identified as John Burke—was transported to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries and later released into police custody.

The Litchfield Police Department, working closely with the New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) Major Crimes Unit and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit (CAR), launched an immediate and thorough investigation. Their findings led to a harrowing conclusion: the crash involving the Toyota and the motorcycle was intentional. This conclusion was supported by witness statements and physical evidence gathered at the scene.

Although the secondary crash involving the Mitsubishi was not deemed intentional, investigators believe it occurred as the Mitsubishi driver attempted to swerve to avoid the motorcycle, which had slid into her lane after the initial impact.

Further investigation revealed that Burke was allegedly operating under the influence of alcohol or other substances at the time of the incident, compounding the severity of the charges against him.

As a result, John Burke has been charged with the following criminal offenses:

• Second Degree Murder
• Manslaughter – Reckless
• Negligent Homicide
• First Degree Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• Aggravated DUI – Serious Bodily Injury
• Reckless Conduct – Deadly Weapon
• Witness Tampering
• Vehicular Assault

Burke is scheduled to be arraigned at the Merrimack District Court on May 1, 2025. Legal proceedings are expected to unfold swiftly, given the gravity of the charges and the community impact of the case.

The identity of the deceased motorcyclist is currently being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. An autopsy is scheduled for May 1, 2025, to be conducted by the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which will provide further details into the exact cause of death.

In an official statement, the Litchfield Police Department expressed deep condolences to the victim’s family and gratitude to all agencies that assisted in the emergency response and ongoing investigation. These include the Litchfield, Hudson, and Londonderry Fire and Police Departments, the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the New Hampshire State Police.

As this tragic case moves forward through the justice system, authorities continue to urge members of the public to come forward with any additional information that may assist in the investigation. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the catastrophic consequences of reckless and violent behavior on the roadways.

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