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METHUEN, Essex County, Mass., Sept. 20, 2026 — A vehicle and a motorcycle collided on Friday evening, September 18, near 147 Pelham Street, according to authorities. The crash left multiple people with serious injuries.
Methuen police and fire crews responded to the scene and reported serious injuries, with more than one patient taken away by ambulance. Boston MedFlight was called in and flew at least one patient out from a landing zone set up at Potter Field on Pelham Street.
Pelham Street and the Interstate 93 off-ramp were shut down for a period while crews worked the scene and investigators gathered evidence. Both were reopened once that work was finished.
Massachusetts State Police responded to help with the investigation. The agency's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section is now investigating the cause of the crash, according to authorities. No cause has been confirmed, and officials say more details may be released later.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk in a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcyclists carry almost all of the physical risk in a crash with a car or truck. Riders have no frame, airbags, or seatbelts around them, so any impact tends to transfer straight to the body.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the motorcyclist fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was almost 28 times the passenger-car occupant fatality rate in 2023. That gap holds true across age groups and road types, though riders on higher-speed roads and at intersections tend to face the sharpest exposure.
Passengers on a motorcycle share much of that same risk, since they're just as unprotected as the operator. Drivers of the other vehicle involved are usually shielded by their car's structure and restraints, which is part of why injury outcomes in these crashes are so lopsided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does road surface make a difference for motorcyclists?
Yes. Loose gravel, wet pavement, potholes, and painted lane markings can all reduce tire grip more for a motorcycle than a car, since a bike balances on two narrow contact patches instead of four tires.
What gear actually helps reduce injury?
A DOT-approved helmet, a reinforced jacket, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots are widely recommended. Helmets in particular cut down on head and brain injuries in a crash.
What typically causes motorcycle crashes?
Common factors include a driver failing to see a motorcycle before turning or changing lanes, speeding, following too closely, and driving while impaired. Investigators look at all of these factors before determining a cause.
Why do motorcycle crashes tend to cause more serious injuries?
Without a vehicle frame or airbags around them, riders absorb crash forces directly. Even a low-speed impact can throw a rider from the bike.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Methuen, MA
Anyone involved in a motorcycle crash should call 911 right away and stay as still as possible until paramedics check for injuries, even ones that aren't obvious at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from fractures or internal injuries for hours.
Get a full medical evaluation the same day, even if you feel fine. Keep copies of any police report, medical records, and photos of the scene if you're able to safely take them. If you were a witness, giving a statement to the Methuen police or the Massachusetts State Police can help investigators piece together what happened.
