BY TIMOTHY LA ROCHE
[email protected]
CORNISH — Three people died on Thursday after their car veered from the northbound lane of Route 12A, striking an armored truck coming from the opposite direction.
Police on scene said they are withholding the names of the deceased driver and two passengers pending next of kin notification.
The driver and a passenger riding in of the armored Loomis truck transporting money sustained no injuries during the crash.
The crash took place early afternoon in a 40 mph zone near a bend in the busy roadway connecting Claremont with Cornish.
By 4 p.m., New Hampshire Department of Transportation workers and New Hampshire State Police had closed the road to all traffic while a crash reconstruction team worked on the scene.
“It appears with the evidence we have on scene and witness statements that we’ve collected so far that the grey sedan drifted off into the southbound lane and both vehicles collided,” New Hampshire State Police Sgt. Jayson Almstrom said.
Police say they do not suspect excessive speed or alcohol were factors in the crash. However, investigators say they awaiting toxicology reports on the driver of the sedan to make a final judgement.
Efforts to clear the scene were delayed for several hours as investigators interviewed all witnesses and people involved in the crash. A second Loomis truck was brought just before 5 p.m. to transfer the money being transported.
By nearly three hours after first responders arrived on the scene, crews began work to remove the bodies from the car.
The Plainfield Police Department, Cornish Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Windsor Fire Department, Claremont Fire Department, Claremont Police Department and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation assisted.
Police say more information will be available at the conclusion of their investigation. Anyone with more information are asked to call Trooper Michael McLaughlin at 603-223-8494.
Follow Timothy LaRoche on Facebook at Eagle Times – Timothy LaRoche, or on Twitter at @TimothyLaRoche.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.