Motorcycle Allegedly Speeding Before Friday Crash

A motorcycle that crashed head-on into a convertible on Route 1A on Friday evening was allegedly speeding before the crash, according to Hamilton police.

Friday night’s crash happened at about 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Moulton Street when a motorcycle headed southbound crossed the yellow line and struck an Audi headed northbound.

The motorcycle driver, John McLaughlin, 52, of Swampscott was seriously injured. After the crash, he was taken by ambulance to Beverly Hospital and loaded into a MedFlight helicopter and taken to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He suffered a serious leg injury. His passenger Kathleen McLaughlin, 49, his wife, suffered less serious injuries. She was treated and released at Beverly Hospital.

Initially, rescuers had planned to have the MedFlight helicopter land at Patton Park, where family and friends had gathered to take pictures before the prom. But later, the decision made for it to land at the hospital.

John McLaughlin will be issued two tickets, for speeding and failure to stay in marked lanes. Hamilton Police Sgt. Stephen Trepanier said the motorcycle was going ta least 45 miles per hour before the crash. The speed limit on the section of Bay Road where the crash occurred – just south of the Ipswich town line - is 30 mph, he said.

“He left about 60 feet of skid marks,” Trepanier said.

Neither alcohol and drugs were involved, he said.

The Audi driver, Heidi Taylor of Ipswich, was uninjured.

“She was just an innocent driver,” Trepanier said.

The crash remains under investigation, Trepanier said. He still plans to interview John McLaughlin.