Police officers, firefighters and the members of the public paid homage to Officer Remigio after a procession brought him home from Portsmouth Hospital. ~Photo courtesy of Somerville Police Dept

By Jim Clark

An off-duty Somerville police officer, Louis Remigio, was fatally injured in a multi-vehicle crash on I-95 in North Hampton, New Hampshire, on Sunday morning.

Remigio was rushed to Portsmouth Hospital by emergency responders shortly after the accident occurred, but succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening.

Remigio was reportedly riding a motorcycle when he was hit in a crash that also involved three cars. Authorities reported that a total of three people were hospitalized after the accident.

Remigio was a 30-year veteran of the Somerville Police Department.

According to reports, an 18-year-old motorist, Michael Ricci, 18, of Burlington, was racing on the northbound  side of Rte. 1-95 when he lost control and crossed over to the other side of the highway, hitting Remigio.

Police said that Ricci may have been racing with other vehicles  at the time of the accident.

Michael Ricci.

Traffic on the roadway was reportedly backed up for several hours after the crash.

Ricci was released on $10,000 bail on Monday and will be arraigned on October 20. However, he was arrested Tuesday on an outstanding warrant.

The following statement regarding the passing of Officer Remigio was issued by The City of Somerville/Somerville Police Department following his passing on Monday:

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the death of our brother, Officer Louis Remigio. On Monday night, October 9, Officer Remigio succumbed to injuries sustained while involved in a motor vehicle accident on I-95 in North Hampton, New Hampshire, on Sunday, October 8.

Officer Remigio was a 30-year veteran of the Somerville Police Department, having joined the department in March 1988. Most recently, he served in the department’s Traffic Unit. Over his 30-year tenure, Officer Remigio received multiple awards for service to the community, including two Life Saving Awards, a Meritorious Service Award, a Beyond the Call of Duty Award, and numerous commendations both by his colleagues and by community members.

“Louie was a first class human being and exactly the kind of police officer you want serving your community; he was tough yet kind, empathetic, and fair. As a Chief, you always want to see that any interaction your officers have with community members are changing people’s lives for the better, and Officer Remigio embodied that one thousand percent,” said Chief of Police David Fallon. “Louie was a very important part of this department, and I cannot begin to express what his loss will mean not only to each of us in the Somerville Police Department, but to the Somerville community. My heart and my prayers are with his family during this time of unimaginable loss.”

“Officer Remigio was not only one of the most dedicated officers, but he was a well-respected and well-loved member of our city,” said Mayor Joseph Curtatone. “Whether responding to an emergency, conducting his daily duties, or assisting with one community event or another, Lou met each person with compassion, with a smile, and he was known for going the extra mile to keep our residents safe. His loss will be immeasurable in the Somerville Police Department, and today we grieve as a community for Officer Remigio, for his family, and for his brothers and sisters in the Somerville Police Department.”