Motorcycle, SUV collide at busy downtown intersection

Luckily, a Strafford motorcyclist involved in a collision with an SUV on Tuesday was wearing his helmet. (Rochester Police photos)

ROCHESTER - A Strafford man was injured Tuesday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle attempting to cross a busy downtown intersection.

The accident occurred around 4:10 when police say Phatmani Batchelder, 44 of Lebanon, Maine, was stopped at the intersection of Lambert Court and South Main Street with the intent of going straight across the four-lane road into the Walgreen's and Peoples United Bank entrance.

According to police, a vehicle had stopped in the left northbound lane and the operator signaled for her to proceed. As Batchelder proceeded to cross the lanes of travel, she was unable to see an oncoming Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which was operated by Kevin Dean, 60, of Strafford, as it was being obscured by the vehicle that stopped to allow her to cross.

The driver of the SUV was trying to traverse four lanes of travel from Lambert Court on the left, to the entrance to the parking lots of People's United Bank and Walgreen's on the right. (Google image)

Dean was struck as Batchelder entered the right northbound lane, the Harley-Davidson crashing into the passenger side of the her SUV.

Dean was taken to Frisbie Memorial Hospital with what were described as nonlife threatening injuries. He was wearing a helmet.

Batchelder was not injured.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact Officer Geoff Moore at 330-7128.