Burlington Man Gets 14 Years In Crash That Killed Police Officer

BRENTWOOD, NH -- A Rockingham, NH Superior Court sentenced 20-year-old Michael Ricci of Burlington to serve seven to 14 years in prison after his guilty plea in the Oct. 8, 2017 crash that led to the death of a Tewksbury resident. Witnesses said Ricci was traveling 100 miles per hour and weaving in and out of traffic on the morning of Oct. 8, 2017 on the northbound side of Interstate 95 in New Hampshire. Ricci lost control of his car when he tried to make an illegal U-turn after missing an exit and crashed into a motorcyle driven on the southbound side of the highway by off-duty Somerville Police Officer Louis Remigio, of Tewksbury.

Remigio died from injuries sustained in the crash. There were three other vehicles involved in the crash, according to court documents. Ricci was charged with negligent homicide, second degree assault (two counts) and reckless conduct.

Ricci was not injured in the crash.

The wreck also left John Bamford, the 63-year-old driver and Jaclyn Bamford, the 61-year-old passenger of a Subaru Legacy injured. The driver could not stop the car in time and crashed into the Mercedes Ricci was operating. The Bamfords, of Wells, Maine, were transported to Portsmouth Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

"This was a tragic case that left a family without a father and a police department without one of its respected members," County Attorney Patricia G. Conway said in a statement. "We're pleased that Judge Delker accepted the state's recommendation for sentencing, and hope this resolution will help provide some closure for Officer Remigio's loved ones."

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).