Portsmouth Woman Seriously Hurt in Crash

A Portsmouth woman suffered serious life threatening injuries after state police say her vehicle crossed the center line on Route 16 in Rochester Tuesday and caused a four-vehicle accident.

State Police Sgt. Steve Wheeler of Troop A in Epping said a 2003 Honda driven by Xiaowei Wang, 39, of Portsmouth was traveling north on the Spaulding Turnpike just before 6 p.m. when her vehicle crossed over into the southbound lane near Exit 15.

Wheeler said Wang's vehicle struck a 2002 Ford F-150 truck driven by Steven Hemeon of Milton, 55. Locke said Wang's vehicle then moved back into the northbound lane and began a sideways slide as Wang tried to regain control of her car. Wheeler said Wang's vehicle then moved back into the southbound lane and struck a 1996 Nissan Maxima driven by Karen Fare, 34, of Manchester, forcing her vehicle off the road.

Wang's vehicle then rotated 180 degrees and struck another a 1997 Jeep Cherokee operated by Eli Moryoussef, 22, of Kittery, Maine.

Fare was airlifted to Maine Medical Center by a DHART helicopter with life threatening injuries. Wang and a passenger in Moryoussef's vehicle, Erika Otte, 21, were transported by Rochester Fire and Rescue to Frisbee Memorial Hospital. Wang was eventually airlifted to Maine Medical Center by DHART helicopter with life threatening injuries.

"It does not appear that speed or alcohol were factors in this crash, however the exact cause remains under investigation," wrote Wheeler in the state police press release.

Anyone who may have further information about this crash should contact Trooper Matthew Locke at 603-223-8490 or via e-mail at Matthew.Locke@dos.nh.gov.

The Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police Department, Frisbee Memorial ambulance and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.