One of the drivers critically injured in a crash on Route 119 in Rindge on Wednesday has died from her injuries, according to police.
Maria Lourdes Gray, 71, of Rindge, died at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester on Thursday evening as a result of injuries sustained in the crash, Rindge Police Chief Rachel Malynowski said in a press release Friday.
The other driver, who was also transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, has been identified as Deborah Melanson, 77, of Fitchburg. Melanson remains hospitalized at UMass Memorial Hospital, and her condition has been upgraded to stable, police said.
Police responded to the two-vehicle crash on Route 119 at about 2:46 p.m. on Wednesday. An initial investigation indicates Melanson was traveling west on Route 119, in a 55 mph zone, when Gray pulled out onto Route 119 from Converseville Road.
Melanson’s 2018 Toyota Rav 4 collided with the driver’s side of Gray’s 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The collision caused the Jeep to overturn and the Toyota to leave the roadway and go over the embankment. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.
Gray required extrication from her vehicle. A dog in her car survived the crash with no apparent injuries and was later released to an emergency contact.
Both drivers were transported to UMass Memorial in Worcester by medical helicopter, with landing zones at the Cathedral of the Pines and Christian Outreach Church. Both vehicles were totaled and were towed from the scene by Gauthier’s Auto Service to Cliff’s Auto Body and Repair in Jaffrey.
Route 119 was closed to through traffic for almost two hours while the scene was cleared.
Rindge units were assisted at the scene by Jaffrey Police, the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department, Jaffrey Fire and Rescue, Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance, Winchendon Fire and Rescue, Ashby Fire and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
The accident remains under investigation by the Rindge Police Department. No additional
information will be released until the conclusion of the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Chris Martin at 603-899-5009, ext. 40, or Chief Rachel D. Malynowski at ext. 15.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional information from the Rindge Police Department.