CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Robert M. Mancini, Jr.
603-788-4850
603-271-3361
January 27, 2020
BERLIN, NH – At approximately 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, a collision involving two rental snow machines occurred on Corridor 12 in the City of Berlin. The male operator’s involved in the collision were identified as Darius D. Joseph-Yancy, age 22 of Boston, Massachusetts and Rayon A. Everett, age 18 of Dorchester, Massachusetts. As a result of the collision, Joseph-Yancy sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries, while Everett was uninjured.
A fellow rider contacted 911 and alerted emergency personnel immediately after the collision. Following the accident, personnel from Berlin Emergency Medical Services, the Berlin Fire Department, the Berlin Police Department and a Conservation Officer from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department responded to the scene. Due to the seriousness of Joseph-Yancy’s injuries, he was provided medical attention at the scene by Berlin EMS and then transported by ambulance to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further evaluation and treatment.
Based on information gathered at the scene of the accident and the hospital, it appears that Joseph-Yancy’s inattention and inexperience were the two major contributing factors in the collision. According to both operators, Joseph-Yancy was following another rider in his group when he slowed down considerably on the edge of the trail after ascending an incline. When Joseph-Yancy came to a stop, his snow machine was struck in the rear by Everett. The collision caused Joseph-Yancy to suddenly accelerate, lose control of the machine he was operating, and strike a cluster of trees. Both operators were wearing all required safety equipment; however, neither operator had any prior experience operating a snow machine. Neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in the collision.
For more information about safe riding, please visit www.ride.nh.gov.