Bicyclist killed in Newport crash

By Jordan J. Phelan
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT — A Claremont driver struck and killed a bicyclist Monday morning during a collision on John Stark Highway.

The Newport Police Department emergency communications center received 911 calls at approximately 10:50 a.m. of a motor vehicle collision between a pickup truck and a bicyclist on John Stark Highway near the intersection with Endicott Road. Newport Police and Newport Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and discovered that the bicyclist was deceased, according to a news release.

Officials identified the bicyclist as 40-year-old Daniel S. Thurston of Charlestown.

An initial investigation at the scene concluded that a 2011 GMC 1500 pickup truck operated by 31-year-old Albon M. Chapman Jr. was traveling eastbound on John Stark Highway when it crossed into the eastbound breakdown lane and struck Thurston on his bicycle. Officials said that Thurston was riding within the eastbound breakdown lane.

Authorities closed John Stark Highway between Elm Street and Barton Whitney Road for a number of hours as police investigated.

Based on witness statements and physical evidence collected during the investigation, Chapman Jr. was arrested and charged with one Class B felony count of negligent homicide, one Class B felony count of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and one Class B felony count of attempted falsifying physical evidence. It is further alleged that these offenses were committed while he was released on bail in a pending matter in the 5th Circuit Court – District Division – Newport, officials said.

Chapman Jr. was transported to the Sullivan County House of Corrections pending arraignment in Sullivan Superior Court on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The Newport Police Department was assisted at the scene by the New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit as well as Troopers from New Hampshire State Police Troop C.

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