Motorcyclist severely injured in accident near college

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — A Fitchburg man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Green Street Thursday. According to police, Andrew Marois of 34 Bourque Terrace in Fitchburg was driving a 2001 Yamaha motorcycle past Mount Wachusett Community College when he attempted to perform a stunt maneuver with the bike. “It appears that he was doing a wheelie,” said Sgt. Edward Brow. “ And when he came back down he lost control of the motorcycle and crashed.” According to Sgt. Brow, Mr. Marois was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident but was operating the motorcycle with a suspended license, and was cited for speeding, something he said played a role in the accident. “He was indeed cited for speeding,” said Sgt. Brow. “He had a suspended license and no motorcycle license.” According to eye witnesses at the scene, the motorcyclist was estimated to be going in excess of 70 miles an hour while doing a wheelie and lost control of his bike, fell off, and then sent the motorcycle skidding more than 400 yards down the road. Mr. Marois was unresponsive at the scene of the accident and was taken by ambulance to Heywood Hospital and transferred by Life Flight helicopter to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester. Emergency vehicles from both Wood’s Ambulance and the Gardner Police and Fire departments responded to the accident and needed to spread flame retardant “speedy dry” around the motorcycle because it was leaking fuel onto the roadway. Mr. Marois’ condition at UMass Memorial Medical Center was unknown at press time Friday. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 3 on 8/23/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 200)