Date of Release:  Sunday August 19, 2007   2000 hrs.

Reference:    Motor Vehicle Accident on Lafayette Rd.

On August 19, 2007, at 4:35 am, the Portsmouth Police Department along with the Portsmouth Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a bicycle on Lafayette Road near McDonalds. Preliminary investigation indicate that

William Hoffman, age 35 from 600 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH

was traveling northbound in the southbound breakdown lane on his bicycle. Hoffman was wearing dark clothing and did not have a headlamp installed on his bicycle at the time of the accident. A 1997 Hyundai Accent driven by

Kristina Demers, age 18 from Stark Street, Portsmouth, NH

was traveling southbound on Lafayette Road. As Demers turned right into the McDonalds restaurant, preliminary reports indicate that Hoffman collided with the side of Demers’ vehicle. Hoffman suffered serious injuries to his liver and ribs. At 7:20 am, he was airlifted from the Portsmouth Regional Hospital to Boston Medical Center.  On August 19, 2007 at 1530hrs the Portsmouth Police were advised that William Hoffman had died at Boston Medical Center. This investigation continues by the Portsmouth Police Accident Investigation team along with the Rockingham County Attorneys Office.

If you happened to witness this accident or if you have information that may help in the investigation, you are urged to contact Officer Tim Cashman at 610-7587, or Portsmouth Crimestoppers at 603-431-1199.

Chief Michael Magnant by Sgt. Sargent and updated by Capt. David Ferland.

Distribution:
                Portsmouth City Manager
                Portsmouth Director of Public Works
                Local Media
                Police Department Personnel
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