Winchester Automobile Accident Claims the Lives of 2 Women

Posted on May 08, 2011

A Winchester automobile accident involving two vehicles claims the lives of two women after the driver of a Nissan Pathfinder slams into a vehicle driven by a teenager. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon, April 30, 2011, along Route 10.

According to New Hampshire State Police, James Couch, 39, of Swanzey, was driving a Nissan Pathfinder along Route 10 and struck a Nissan Sentra driven by Kelsey Hopkinson, 16, of Keene. The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

Both Ms. Hopkinson and Melissa Labrake, 21, of Keene, lost their lives as a result of the car accident. Rescue crews transported Ms. Labrake's 20-month-old daughter and Heather McCormick, 22, of Winchester, who were both riding in the Sentra, to the hospital where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Mr. Couch was also taken to the hospital. His condition was not immediately made known, but his injuries were described as non-life threatening.

The fatal Winchester automobile accident is still under investigation by local authorities as they try to determine the cause of the two-vehicle wreck.

This is a terrible tragedy, and we would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to the victims' family and friends during this difficult time.