Motorcyclist Observed at 158 mph

GREENLAND, N.H. – On July 14, 2024, the New Hampshire State Police received a report of a group of motorcycles being operated hazardously eastbound on Route 101 in Raymond. Trooper Thomas Lombardi was in the state police aircraft and was able to locate the group of motorcycles. 

Trooper Lombardi’s attention was drawn to the front motorcycle, which was pulling away from the others in the group, passing other motor vehicles, and going in between two vehicles at the same time. 

Trooper Lombardi measured the speed of this motorcycle to be 158 mph as it continued eastbound. As the motorcycle approached the exit ramp for I-95, Trooper Samuel Provenza recorded another speed of 110 mph and activated his emergency blue lights. Trooper Provenza observed a passenger on the back of the motorcycle, and it did not appear to be slowing, he did not pursue it. 

Trooper Lombardi and the state police aircraft followed the motorcycle as it headed eastbound, then southbound on Route 1. Once it slowed in traffic, Trooper Provenza regained visual contact and attempted to stop the motorcycle. The motorcycle again refused to stop and instead accelerated rapidly and began recklessly passing other vehicles and disregarding multiple motor vehicle laws. Trooper Provenza did not pursue and allowed the aircraft to follow it.

The motorcycle continued onto Route 107 and then entered I-95 northbound, where Trooper Lombardi acquired multiple additional speed readings, with a high speed of 144 mph. During this time, the operator used all lanes of I-95 to pass and weave in and out of traffic. The motorcycle took Exit 3, and Trooper Lombardi maintained visual contact as it traveled down Greenland Road and pulled into a gas station. Sgt. John LaPointe was able to contact the subject and take him into custody. The operator was identified as Zachary Michael Dionne, 21, Farmington, NH. 

Dionne was arrested and charged with Felony Reckless Conduct – Deadly Weapon, Resisting Arrest, Disobeying an Officer, Reckless Driving, Fail to Display Plates, Unsafe Lane Change, and Unregistered Vehicle. Dionne was processed and held in preventative detention at the Rockingham County House of Corrections. Dionne is scheduled to be arraigned in the Hampton District Court on July 15, 2024.