Texting Causes Fatal New Hampshire Accident

A young New Hampshire woman is dead after a fatal New Hampshire car accident on Saturday. The accident occurred around 4:15 a.m. on Interstate 495 north, just south of Exit 51.

Kelsey A. Richardson, 21, of Atkinson, NH, was driving northbound when she lost control of her vehicle, striking a guardrail on the left side of the highway. Richardson then spun back into traffic, and hit a tractor-trailer truck traveling in the right lane.

After hitting the first truck, Richardson was ejected from her vehicle, and was then hit by a second tractor-trailer driving in the middle lane. She was pronounced dead by rescue personnel at the scene.

Because Richardson's car was heavily damaged, police can not determine whether she was wearing her seat belt. They do, however, suspect that texting while driving played a part in the horrific crash. "We are investigating [texting] as a contributing factor," said state police spokesman David Procopio.

A bill banning texting while driving was signed into law earlier this year in New Hampshire, but it does not go into effect until the fall. This is another sad reminder of the dangers of distracted driving.

Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this accident. We remind all New Hampshire drivers to stay alert and focused on the road when behind the wheel.