State Police Investigating Fatal Crash In The North Country

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire State Police were called to Bethlehem to investigate a three-vehicle crash on Route 116. Police were sent to the state highway, just north of the Littleton town line, for a report of a three-vehicle accident at just after 2 p.m. The crash involved two vehicles and a tractor-trailer truck, hauling lumber.

Bethlehem police and the state police's Collision, Analysis and Reconstruction Unit investigated the accident and the initial investigation revealed that the 2010 Honda Civic had been stopped in the northbound lane and was preparing to make a turn into a driveway. The driver was an 83-year-old man with a 77-year-old passenger.

The hauler, being driven by a 68-year-old man from Gorham was also traveling north on Route 116. The driver, according to investigators, "failed to notice the Honda until the last moment," according to state police.

The truck rear ended the Honda and pushed it into the southbound lane. A Dodge Caravan, being driven by a 76-year-old woman from Stark, traveling south, then collided into the Honda.

The passenger of the Honda, Ellen Morrow, was killed due to injuries from the crash. The driver of the Honda was medflighted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. The driver of the Caravan was also taken to Littleton Regional Hospital.

"Speed, alcohol, drugs or mobile device usage do not appear to be factors, however, driver inattention appears to be a factor," according to a report. "All occupants had been wearing seatbelts. The decision on criminal charges will take place once the investigation is complete."

Route 116 was closed for a number of hours during the investigation.

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