Crash victim recalled as 'great guy, hard worker'

Matthew Goodwin (Courtesy photos from Facebook)

Matthew Goodwin, the Lebanon man who died Saturday night in a horrific motorcycle accident at the corner of Lower Cross and Center roads, had just bought a house with his girlfriend in Lebanon where the two were awaiting the birth of their first baby - a baby girl - this November.

Today he was remembered as "an awesome cool dude, a great guy, and a hard worker," by his brother Josh, of Farmington, N.H.

The 26-year-old died when his 2006 Suzuki 650 motorcycle crashed into rocks and trees at the two roads' intersection around 10:40 p.m.

Josh Goodwin said he thinks his younger brother slid with the bike on its side before it righted itself and he was catapulted into the trees.

Josh Goodwin said Matt had a lifelong love of motorcycles, and, in fact, anything automotive.

"He loved it all, loud cars, loud bikes," Josh Goodwin said.

He said Matt used to do the Derby's at the Rochester Fair, especially those that ran on a dirt track with four-cylinder cars. He said they sped around an oval track and had to traverse two huge speed bumps each lap to have a chance to win.

Matt Goodwin performed as a hip-hop artist at several different clubs.

But Matt was much more than just an automotive guy, Josh said. He wrote and performed hip-hop in Boston and Portland, creating unique beats.

He also loved fishing and was a huge Patriots fans.

He grew up in Berwick, attending Noble High where he played football.

He didn't graduate, but got his GED soon after, his brother said

He and his girlfriend had just bought a home on Lower Cross Road not too far from Depot Road.

On Saturday night, Josh said Matt had finished work at Contitech Thermopol of Somersworth, N.H., around 9 p.m., arrived home around 9:30, then left an hour or so later to visit some friends.

Josh said it wasn't more than five minutes after he left the house that Matt's girlfriend heard the sirens.

Josh said his younger brother may have been somewhat unfamiliar with the roads of Lebanon, but acknowledged speed was a factor, too.

Matt Goodwin died at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet, police said. He was originally identified as a Somersworth man, but that was because he registered his bike out of Somersworth, Josh said.

On Sunday, amid a small remaining debris field of plastic and glass, a makeshift shrine of red and black and yellow balloons, flowers and packs of cigarettes had been set up by friends and loved ones.

"He is very much loved and will be very much missed," Josh Goodwin said.