Three people have died following a serious head-on collision that closed part of Route 101 in Candia, New Hampshire, for several hours Saturday afternoon.
New Hampshire State Police said the crash occurred around 12:20 p.m. in the area of mile marker 69.
Responding troopers determined that the driver of a Toyota Tundra was speeding eastbound on Route 101 when they side-swiped a Nissan Sentra, struck a guardrail on the eastbound side, and veered across the center median into the westbound lanes where they struck a Jeep Grand Wagoneer head-on.
Both the Toyota and Jeep drivers died from injuries sustained in the crash, police said.
A passenger in the Jeep suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Elliot Hospital where they later died, police added.
The names of the people who died were released Monday. Michael Wescott, a 59-year-old from Greenville, was driving the Toyota Tundra. Richard Courville, a 77-year-old from North Hampton, was driving the Jeep, and his passenger was Denise Courville, a 65-year-old also from North Hampton.
State police said the driver and passenger of the Nissan that was sideswiped suffered non-life threatening injuries. They were taken to Elliot Hospital as a precaution and have been identified as 57-year-old Timothy McMahon and 18-year-old Kelly McMahon, both of Peterborough.
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The westbound and eastbound lanes of Route 101 were closed until westbound traffic could be rerouted, then the eastbound lanes were reopened. The westbound lanes were completely shut down for approximately four hours while troopers investigated the scene.
Drivers were told to anticipate delays and avoid the area if possible. Video from the scene showed bumper-to-bumper traffic as cars had to make a U-turn on the highway ahead of the crash site.
Police said just after 4:40 p.m. that Route 101 had reopened.
According to police, speed appears to be a factor in the crash. All aspects remain under investigation, however.
Anyone who witnessed the crash and hasn't yet spoken to police is asked to call or email Trooper Will Bohnenberger at William.F.Bohnenberger@dos.nh.gov or 603-223-4381.
New Hampshire State Police initially incorrectly identified the driver of the Nissan Sentra. The driver of the Nissan Sentra has been identified as Timothy McMahon, 57, of Peterborough.
