State Police Investigate Fatal Motorcycle Accident on Rte 91 in Holyoke

On Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at approximately 5:55 p.m., State Police assigned to the Northampton Barracks responded to a motorcycle crash on Route 91 South at Exit 16, which resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Michael Tucker indicates 36-year-old Alfred Slater of South Hadley was operating a 2006 Suzuki GSXR60 motorcycle at an extremely high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle and struck the center guardrail. The motorcycle then went airborne and continued, out of control, down the highway. At some point Slater separated from the motorcycle. He came to rest several hundred yards further south from the initial point of impact. The motorcycle was also located several hundred yards from the initial crash point but a distance away from Slater. He was transported by ambulance to the Bay State Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. He later died at the hospital.

Portions of Route 91 South were closed for approximately 45 minutes while emergency crews were attending to the victim and clearing the roadway of debris. With the exception of the breakdown lane, the roadway was re-opened to traffic at 6:40 p.m.

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Holyoke Police and Fire Departments assisted troopers at the scene.

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.

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