Massachusetts Man Killed in Fiery Rindge Crash
A two-vehicle collision on Route 119 in Rindge, New Hampshire, resulted in the death of a 52-year-old Massachusetts man on Wednesday night.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene around 9:16 p.m. for reports of entrapment and a vehicle fire. Rindge Police and Fire extinguished the flames with assistance from a bystander.
The driver of a Ford Fiesta, identified as Richard Pezzolesi of Winchendon, was pronounced dead on-site by EMS personnel. The driver of a Jeep Compass exited his vehicle independently and was evaluated by EMS. Due to inclement weather preventing a medflight helicopter from flying, he was transported by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Initial investigations indicated that the Ford Fiesta was westbound on Route 119 and attempted a turn onto Old Ashburnham Road, colliding head-on with the eastbound Jeep Compass. Both vehicles traveled over 100 feet post-collision before resting on the eastbound shoulder, with the Jeep ending up on its passenger side atop the Fiesta.
A third vehicle, a Honda Accord, drove through the debris before first responders arrived, sustaining damage but no injuries to the driver. Authorities reported a fourth vehicle also passed through the scene without stopping and are seeking its driver for further information.
Route 119 remained closed for approximately four hours as crews managed the cleanup and ongoing investigation. Rindge Police are asking witnesses with information to contact Officer Sam Kelley at 603-899-5009, Ext. 46, or Chief Rachel Malynowski at Ext. 15.