A Farmingdale man who was taking part in a motorcycle ride Saturday to honor the life of a murdered friend died as the result of injuries he sustained in a wreck during the procession.
The state Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday that Christopher J. Graham, 50, died of blunt force injuries to the head and chest he sustained in the accident.
Graham was a member of the Exiles Motorcycle Club, which had arranged the procession in memory of fellow Exile Antonio Balcer, who was known as Rev. Tony to club members and others.
“(Graham) was one of the best standup guys you would ever meet,” James Walton, president of the Exiles, said. “If you needed something, he would be right there for you. He had a contagious smile and a laugh you would never forget.”
Walton said he’s known Graham, who he considered an experienced motorcycle rider, for about 20 years. They met while driving tractor-trailers. Walton said Graham was a disabled veteran.
The club’s ride started at the Bench, a sports bar in Gardiner, Saturday morning and proceeded south on Route 24 along the west bank of the Kennebec River. The ride crossed the Maine Kennebec Bridge that links Richmond and Dresden and continued north on Route 27 on the east side of the river.
“(Graham) was one of the best standup guys you would ever meet.”
— James Walton, president of the Exiles
According to the initial report, Kennebec County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 11:59 a.m. report of a crash as the procession was headed north on Route 27 on the east side of the river and was nearing the Exiles’ clubhouse when Graham laid down his motorcycle and struck the rear end of a Chevrolet pickup that was also part of the procession. Graham was pronounced dead en route to Maine General Medical Center in Augusta.
Walton said he didn’t have an exact count of how many took part, but he estimated that about 120 motorcycles and other vehicles made the loop on Saturday.
Kennebec County Sheriff Ryan Reardon said Monday that the accident is being reconstructed, but no charges are expected.
Saturday’s procession was held the same day as funeral services for Antonio and Alice Balcer, both 47, who were found dead in their Pine Knoll Road home in Winthrop in the early hours of Oct. 31.
Their son, Andrew Balcer, 17, is charged with murdering both his parents. He’s currently being held at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.
Walton said Graham’s family is handling funeral arrangements, and it’s too soon to say whether the club will organize a ride to honor Graham.
“He died doing what he loved to do, riding motorcycles,” Walton said.
Jessica Lowell — 621-5632
Twitter: @JLowellKJ
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