RI Woman Injured In NH Utility Vehicle Crash

BERLIN, NH — A Rhode Island woman was seriously injured on a trail in a New Hampshire state park after a utility vehicle crash Sunday afternoon.

New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said the crash involving a rental UTV happened around 3:10 p.m. on the Brook Road Trail in Jericho Mountain State Park.

Emergency officials identified the injured passenger as Evenlin Paniagua, 27, of Cumberland. Officials said the rental UTV was driven by Cesar Paniagua, 49, also of Cumberland.

Cesar drove in a group of three UTVs down Brook Road when he lost control and rolled the machine over into a ditch, officials said.

Cesar told state officials he was rounding a corner on Brook Road when he struck a small washout on the far right side of the trail, causing the rollover. The UTV sustained extensive damage and seriously injured Evelin, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.

Both occupants were wearing helmets. Evelin was taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for treatment of her injuries.

Conservation officers said Cesar was driving over the posted speed limit at the time of the crash. He was later issued a summons for excessive speed.