Negligent Homicide Charges Issued in Highway Death on Route 202

Upate: Strafford County Attorney Thomas Velardi, Lieutenant Christopher Vetter of the New Hampshire State Police Troop-A and Chief Richard Conway of the Barrington Police Department today announce the arrest of John Shaw, 48 of Barrington.  Shaw was arrested Sunday, September 1st shortly after midnight for his role in the fatal motor vehicle crash of Aug. 31, that claimed the lives of Joel McLain, 77, and his wife Maxine McLain, 77, both of Biddeford, Maine.  Shaw was arraigned Sept. 3, in the 7th Circuit Court, Dover Division on two counts of Negligent Homicide related to each victim. Shaw’s bail was set at $25,000 cash bail and he is currently being held at the Strafford County Jail in Dover.

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On Aug, 31, at approximately 11:35 pm, Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police-Troop A barracks responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 202 in Barrington.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2002 Ford Ranger pick-up truck, being driven by John Shaw, 48, of Barrington, was traveling west on Route 202.  For reasons that are still under investigation, the vehicle crossed the center line and struck a 2007 Ford Edge, traveling eastbound, being driven by Joel McLain, 77, and his passenger Maxine McLain, 77, both of Biddeford, Maine.

Shaw, who was ejected from his vehicle, was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester where he was treated for serious injuries. 

Joel McLain died at the scene of the crash.  Maxine McLain was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital where she later died of her injuries.

Sections of Route 202 between Route 9 and Route 126 were closed for approximately 4 hours as Troopers conducted their investigation and the vehicles were removed.

Assisting the New Hampshire State Police at the scene was the New Hampshire State Police TAR Unit, the Barrington Police Department and the Barrington Fire Department.

This accident remains under investigation by Trooper Thomas Conlon.  Anyone with information pertaining to this collision is asked to contact Trooper Conlon, NH State Police/Troop A at (603) 223-8490. 

Submitted by the NH State Police.