A driver was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., after a single-car crash on Route 119 in Rindge Wednesday morning.
The Rindge fire and police departments were dispatched to the area of 1524 Route 119 at approximately 7:26 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of a high-speed crash. Initial reports were that there was a single occupant with unknown injuries, and secondary reports were that the vehicle was on fire and the driver was trapped.
On arrival, first-responders located the vehicle in the tree line on the westbound side of the road. It was not on fire, but the engine block, approximately 15 feet away, was in flames. The Rindge Fire Department put out the fire.
The driver, who was identified as 24-year-old Winchester resident Nathaniel Shay, was trapped in the heavily damaged vehicle, according to police. Members of Rindge Fire and Rescue and Jaffrey Fire and Rescue removed him from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life tool.
A MedFlight was requested, but was not flying due to weather. Instead, Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance transported Shay to UMass Memorial Medical Center. The extent of his injuries was unknown as of Wednesday afternoon.
New Hampshire Department of Transportation was requested to respond to the scene to assist with road closure.
According to police, initial investigation determined that Shay’s 2017 Mazda 6 was traveling east on Route 119 in Rindge. Police stated that several witnesses reported seeing the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed while passing numerous vehicles on double solid lines and nearly causing several head-on collisions with several westbound vehicles.
Just prior to 1524 US Route 119, the vehicle lost control and skidded across the roadway, striking a guardrail on the westbound shoulder and becoming partially airborne. The vehicle continued down the embankment into a heavily wooded area, hitting several trees while still airborne, before stopping in an upright position. The vehicle sustained heavy damage, with vehicle parts scattered throughout the area.
There were no other vehicles or passengers involved in the accident, police stated.
Gauthier’s Auto Services of Jaffrey provided vehicle recovery and towing. The debris field was extensive, police stated, resulting in a lengthy cleanup by a large Gauthier’s crew. The vehicle was towed to Cliff’s Auto Body & Repair.
Rindge Police, Rindge Fire and Rindge Rescue were assisted on scene by Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance, Jaffrey Fire, Jaffrey Rescue, Jaffrey Police, New Hampshire DOT and Rindge Animal Control Officer Larry Harris. Route 119 was closed to traffic for approximately 30 minutes during extrication and scene investigation.
While police state that the initial investigation indicates that speed is a likely contributing factor, the accident remains under investigation by the Rindge Police Department. Witnesses with any additional information are asked to contact Chief Rachel Malynowski at 603-899-5009, Ext. 15, or through Cheshire County Dispatch at 603-355-2000.