NEWPORT — Megan Horsfield, 29, and Justin Butler, 26, both of Newport, were seriously injured in a single motor vehicle collision at 9:33 p.m. on Monday, July 22.
The crash occurred on John Stark Highway, just west of Barton-Whitney Road.
The Newport Police Department Emergency Communications Center received several 911 calls advising them of the accident.
According to a press release from the Newport Police Department, the single vehicle was traveling west towards Claremont when it crossed the center line and the east bound lane, ultimately going off the road and over the embankment striking several trees and large rocks. The Newport Police, Fire Rescue and the Newport Ambulance Service were dispatched to the scene.
At the scene it was discovered that there were two occupants and that due to the nature and extent of their injuries a second ambulance was required.
Horsfield was operating her 2002 Chevy Trailblazer and had been traveling west towards Claremont when it left the road and was extensively damaged.
Butler was a passenger in Horsfield’s vehicle. He was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Horsfield was transported to Valley Regional Hospital with apparent serious, but non-life threatening injuries as well, and was ultimately admitted to DHMC. The extent of Horsfield’s and Butler’s injuries and conditions are not known at this time, but both remain hospitalized the police report stated.
For just over two hours, John Stark Highway was restricted to a single lane of traffic and at times was closed while the accident scene was investigated and the vehicle removed.
Horsfield was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated as both drugs and alcohol are suspected factors in the collision. She will be arraigned at the 5th Circuit Court in Newport on Aug. 6.
The collision remains under investigation by the Newport Police Department and additional criminal charges are expected for both Horsfield and Butler.
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