By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — Five people were sent to the hospital after a pickup truck pinned four pedestrians against a car it hit as New Year’s Eve fireworks spectators were leaving Arrowhead Recreation Area.
According to Claremont Police Chief Brent Wilmot, on Dec. 31 at 10:15 p.m., the Claremont Public Safety services were dispatched to Robert Easter Way for the report of a motor vehicle collision. Arrowhead Recreation area, located on Robert Easter Way, was holding its First Night activities, which culminated with the fireworks show that had just concluded.
“When first responders arrived on scene, and upon speaking to witnesses, they learned that the driver of the vehicle that caused the crash had been forcefully removed from the truck by witnesses shortly after striking the pedestrians,” Wilmot wrote in a statement about the incident. “It was reported that immediately following the crash, the vehicle’s engine was revved and patients were pinned between the two vehicles. “
Wilmot explained that the accident involving the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck occurred moments after the fireworks as people were returning to their vehicles.
“Something happened to cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle,” he said. “Whether it was a loss of consciousness due to a medical condition or something else, he temporarily loses alertness and/or consciousness.
“He was in the car not lucid and still had his foot on the accelerator, and people forcefully removed him so he wouldn’t keep his foot on the gas and cause more damage,” Wilmot said.
Wilmot said that no arrests have been made and police are working to find the underlying cause of the crash. Wilmot said investigators are interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence and documenting the crash scene to try to determine the cause. Wilmot said the toxicology reports are currently on hold, as they will need search warrants.
“We are working diligently to determine if the crash was caused due to an underlying medical condition or some other factor, such as impairment or distraction,” Wilmot said.
Wilmot added that the driver is being cooperative in the investigation, and that nothing at this point leads police to believe that this was an intentional act.
“Investigators followed up with the driver this morning, and he was very cooperative and answered questions,” Wilmot said.
Wilmot said five people, including the driver, were transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for serious, but non-life threatening injuries. He said all five patients have been discharged. Ages of those injured ranged from 17 to 28-years-old, as well as the 39-year-old Claremont man who was driving.
“In total, five patients were transferred to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, including the driver of the vehicle that caused the crash,” Wilmot stated. “The extent of the patients’ injuries varies; however, none of those injuries appear to be life threatening.”
Wilmot said all but one do not require follow up medical treatment, as one patient has a fibula fracture requiring orthopedic work.
The Claremont Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the NH State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction unit, along with members of NH State Police Troop-C. The initial reporting party was a Claremont firefighter who got through to dispatch first.
“There were multiple ambulances and DHART, so it was a collaborative effort,” Wilmot said. “Lots of patients and we had a lot of work to do, but many hands make light work, especially with our other city departments.”
If any member of the public witnessed the event or has information that may be relevant to the investigation, contact Det. Sgt. Trevor Dickerman at 603-542-7010.
