High-speed chase ends in serious injury to Northwood police officer

A high-speed motorcycle chase that began in Strafford on Monday morning ended in Northwood when the operator was taken into custody after striking and injuring a police officer, according to State Police. 

Strafford police attempted to stop the operator, who was seen driving recklessly through the town around 10:15 a.m., until it crossed into Northwood and proceeded down Bow Lake Road toward Route 4 in the direction of a Memorial Day Parade, according to New Hampshire State Police. Strafford police ended the chase due to its dangerousness and the parade ahead. 

While redirecting traffic along Route 4, Northwood Police Officer Joseph Dyrkacz heard the motorcycle accelerating and stepped into the westbound lane of travel to signal the driver to stop. Rather than yielding, police say Logan Goodwin, 21, of Rochester, continued ahead and stuck Dyrkacz, who was transported to Concord Hospital with serious injuries and has since been listed as stable. 

Dyrkacz received surgery on his leg Tuesday morning was was “doing well,” according to State Police. 

Goodwin suffered minor injuries. He was medically cleared at the scene of the crash and arrested by the Strafford Police Department on a charge of reckless conduct, a felony, and disobeying a police officer and operating without a motorcycle license, which are both misdemeanors. Northwood Police Department also charged him with second-degree assault and reckless conduct, both felonies. 

Strafford police and Northwood police were assisted by the New Hampshire State Police, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit and the Northwood Fire Department. The incident remains under investigation. 

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