A woman is dead and a family of five, including three children, remains hospitalized after a brutal head-on crash on Route 3 in Columbia on Friday night. The collision, which happened shortly after 9 p.m., left both vehicles heavily damaged as emergency crews and bystanders rushed to free and treat the occupants at the scene. Authorities shut down the road for several hours while troopers investigated and cleared the wreckage.
State police lay out early findings
According to a preliminary investigation by New Hampshire State Police, a northbound Chevrolet Camaro crossed the center line and slammed into a southbound Chevrolet Silverado, causing extensive damage and multiple injuries. Troopers identified the Camaro driver as 25-year-old Courtney Diamond of Pelham. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Silverado was carrying two adults and three children. Two of the occupants were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries and three were listed with life-threatening injuries, according to NBC Boston. Route 3 was closed for about three and a half hours while troopers processed the scene, and investigators asked anyone with information to contact Trooper Jacob Ingerson at 603-846-3333 or [email protected].
Where victims were taken for treatment
The five occupants of the Silverado were first transported to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, then transferred for higher-level care. Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital serves Colebrook and surrounding North Country communities, while Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon is the region’s academic medical center and New Hampshire’s only Level I adult trauma center, equipped to handle the most critical cases; see Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for background on those facilities. Hospital officials have not released additional details on the patients as families are notified and treatment continues.
Why head-on crashes are so often deadly
In a head-on collision, the force of impact is concentrated on the front of both vehicles, which makes this type of crash among the most severe and frequently deadly. On rural two-lane roads, crossing the center line during passing, along with distraction, impairment or driver fatigue, often plays a role. Federal safety guidance stresses that driving requires full attention in order to prevent these kinds of crashes.
Authorities and safety advocates point to a combination of enforcement, roadway design treatments and public education as key tools to cut down on center-line crashes, according to the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Investigation still underway
New Hampshire State Police say the crash remains under active investigation and no charges have been announced. Troopers are still working to determine what caused the Camaro to leave its lane. Anyone with photos, video or other information that could help investigators is asked to contact Trooper Jacob Ingerson.
