On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at approximately 11:09 a.m., Rochester Police, Rochester Fire, and Frisbie EMS responded to the area of 1187 Salmon Falls Road for a report of a motorcycle crash involving a car trailer being towed by a pickup truck.

Upon arrival, officers located a 2019 black Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a 2004 silver GMC pickup truck pulling a car trailer. Preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcycle and trailer collided while passing each other on a curve.

The Harley-Davidson sustained extensive damage and was later towed from the scene. The GMC pickup did not sustain damage; however, the trailer suffered significant damage to its driver’s side dual wheels and was also towed.

The driver of the motorcycle was identified as Kenneth Tharpe, age 55, of Berwick, ME.
Tharpe sustained a severe leg injury and was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Due to the severity of the collision, the Strafford County Regional Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team responded to assist with the investigation.

The driver of the GMC pickup truck was identified as Bruce Patch, age 69, of Farmington, NH. Patch was not injured in the crash.

Because the incident involved a trailer towing a vehicle, Rochester Police requested the assistance of the New Hampshire State Police Troop G to conduct an inspection of the trailer.

This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information that may assist is encouraged to contact Officer Kevin Miller of the Rochester Police Department at (603) 330-7128.