NEW HAMPTON – On Friday, November 23, 2018 at approximately 6:33 a.m., New Hampshire State Police Communications received a call about a vehicle that had gone off I-93 north at mile marker 72 in New Hampton.
Troopers arrived and found a 2005 Toyota Sequoia sport utility vehicle approximately 40 feet down a steep embankment off the right side of the roadway. Initial investigation indicated that the driver of the Toyota made an abrupt turn to the left and then drove right where the vehicle impacted a guard rail and became airborne before landing on its side, amongst several trees.
The operator was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified by State Police as Lucien Theberge, 18, of Quincy, Mass.
A 16-year-old passenger was seriously injured in the crash and was flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.
Due to the collision, one lane of the highway was shut down for approximately 3.5 hours and the entire northbound lane was closed momentarily so that the DART helicopter could land on the highway. The New Hampshire State Police, Troops D and F were assisted on scene by the New Hampton, Ashland and Meredith Fire Departments, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation as well as the Ashland and Bristol Police Departments.
At this time, it is unknown what led to the vehicle driving off the roadway but unreasonable speed appears to have been a factor. All aspects of the crash remain under investigation. Anyone that may have further information related to this crash, please contact Trooper First Class Mark Barrett at 603-271-1162 or email at mark.barrett@dos.nh.gov.
