Tilton, N.H : 72-year-old woman killed in near-head-on crash on Route 3 in Tilton on Monday, August 1, 2016

A 72-year-old woman died Monday after her van collided with another car in Tilton.

The accident occurred on Route 3, which was closed for several hours.

Witnesses heard the loud crash outside of vacation cabins on Laconia Road.

“We don't like to go to serious injury accidents anyway, and when it's a fatal accident, it's obviously that much harder on everybody,” said Police Chief Robert Cormier.

Just after 4:30 p.m., police said the woman, Josephine Lepelley of Northfield, crossed the center line in 2003 Dodge Caravan. A 2003 Ford F450 pickup truck, driven by Matthew Otto of Belmont, tried to avoid colliding head-on, but the vehicles crashed at an angle.

“As soon as the officers got on scene, they realized it was very serious,” Cormier said. “The fire department confirmed almost immediately that it was in fact a fatal accident.”

Cormier said two small dogs were recovered from Lepelley's van.

“They've since been reunited with the woman's family,” he said. “Both dogs were OK.”

Otto was treated and released.

Police are now trying to determine what caused the crash.

“We'll look at everything, but one thing we try not to do is prematurely decide what caused the accident without all the information,” he said.

Cormier said speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors.

“We don't at this time believe that there was anything that was endangering or reckless deliberately,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family that lost this woman. This has got to be heart-wrenching on them, and it's hard on us too.”

There were delays throughout town during the afternoon, Cormier said, many trying to get to a James Taylor concert in Gilford.

Source :
Woman killed in near-head-on crash in Tilton