Greenville resident among three killed in crash in Candia; two Peterborough residents injured

New Hampshire State Police

New Hampshire State Police COURTESY PHOTO

By BILL FONDA

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 08-18-2024 7:42 PM

Modified: 08-19-2024 12:40 PM


A Greenville resident was among three people killed in a crash on Route 101 in Candia Saturday afternoon that also injured two Peterborough residents.

According to a release from New Hampshire State Police, Michael Wescott, 59, of Greenville, was driving a a 2010 Toyota Tundra that was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed before side-swiping a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The Tundra then struck a guardrail on the eastbound side, veering across the center median and into the westbound lanes, before striking a 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer head-on.

Westcott died in the crash, as did Richard Courville, 77, of North Hampton, the driver of the Grand Wagoneer, and Courville’s passenger, Denise Courville, 65, of North Hampton. Denise Courville was transported by ambulance to Elliot Hospital, where she died from her injuries.

The driver and passenger of the Sentra, identified as Timothy McMahon, 57, and Kelly McMahon, 18, both of Peterborough, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Elliot Hospital as a precaution. 

The westbound and eastbound lanes of Route 101 were closed until westbound traffic could be rerouted, then the eastbound lanes were reopened. The westbound lanes were completely shut down for approximately four hours while troopers investigated the scene. The New Hampshire State Police was assisted at the scene by members of the Raymond Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Candia Fire Rescue, Raymond Fire Department and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

While speed appears to be a factor in the crash, all aspects remain under investigation. Troopers have spoken with multiple witnesses, and anyone who witnessed the crash and hasn’t already spoken with police is asked to contact Trooper Will Bohnenberger at william.f.bohnenberger@dos.nh.gov or 603-223-4381.