Fatal accident in Sandwich under investigation by town, state police

SANDWICH — One person died following an accident on Whittier Highway on Thursday, according to town police.

The accident occurred when a driver in an unidentified vehicle read-ended a commercial vehicle on Whittier Highway near the Moultonborough town line on May 22. Sandwich police responded to the accident, Sandwich Police Chief Karl Koch said.

The driver of the vehicle which struck the one in front of it was transported to Concord Hospital-Laconia, where their injuries proved fatal. The Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team was called to the scene, but could not respond due to bad weather.

Information about the number of occupants in each vehicle was not immediately available. Koch did not identify any of the people or vehicles involved in the crash, citing New Hampshire's Driver Privacy Act.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

DHART is responsible for transporting patients to any appropriate medical facility in New England, by air or ground. The team also responds for the evacuation of trauma and medical patients. The team consists of EMTs, flight nurses and paramedics, pilots, mechanics, respiratory care practitioners, and communication specialists.

New Hampshire State Police from Troop G were also called to the scene to check if the commercial vehicle involved in the accident was following both state law and federal motor carrier safety regulations. Troop G investigates crashes involving commercial motor vehicles, as they are responsible for their inspection and regulation, including those used by motor vehicle dealerships and transportation companies.

Michal Sventek, public information officer for State Police, said approximately 500 crashes each year involve commercial vehicles. He also said it's necessary to have a troop specializing in commercial vehicles, as the enforcement is specialized and requires extensive training to become certified.

Koch reminded drivers to operate vehicles safely.

“Drive the speed limit and pay attention,” he said. “That probably would have avoided that accident.”