MANCHESTER, NH – On June 11, 2017 at approximately 3 p.m. Manchester Police responded to the intersection of Lake and Elm streets for a crash involving a motorcycle and a Hyundai Sonata, which had crashed into El Rincon restaurant. Officer Erik Slocum arrived on scene as emergency personnel treated the operator of the 2014 Indian motor cycle. The motorcyclist was identified as Leon Leduc, 62, of Manchester.
Leduc stated he was crossing Elm Street and approaching Lake Avenue from Granite Street when the Hyundai pulled in front of him as it turned right on to Lake Avenue from Elm Street. Richard Catudal, 53, of Manchester, said he was waiting for the traffic light in the northbound lane of Elm Street when an unknown pedestrian approached his vehicle.
Catudal claimed the man appeared to be unstable and possibly on drugs, so he attempted to avoid making eye contact with him as he walked closer to Catudal’s car. The pedestrian, later identified as Michael Noonan, 43, of Manchester, allegedly slapped the hood of Catudal’s vehicle and began yelling at him. Noonan’s actions caused Catudal to panic as he turned right (east) onto Lake Avenue, causing a crash with the motorcycle.
Catudal’s vehicle redirected toward the restaurant on the north side of Lake Avenue after he collided with Leduc’s motorcycle, crashing into El Rincon Restaurant, which caused structural damage to the building. Bystanders who witnessed the chain of events detained Noonan.
Officers spoke with Noonan, who initially identified himself as Michael Newman, but refused to provide additional information. He was transported to police headquarters and properly identified as Michael Noonan. He was released on a summons for a violation level offense of disorderly conduct.
Leduc was transported to the Elliot Hospital and treated for a fractured arm, as well as minor abrasions. Catudal was not injured in the crash, but both his vehicle and the motor cycle were towed from the scene due to damage resulting from the crash. The Manchester Fire Department temporarily closed down the restaurant because of the structural damage.
