A woman was killed Monday and a man was arrested for driving under the influence after the car they were in veered off the road and crashed in Canterbury, New Hampshire.
State police responded to a call of a single-vehicle crash at 4:35 p.m. on Interstate 93. There, they located a 1999 Dodge Durango at the bottom of an embankment and learned it was carrying three occupants. According to a preliminary investigation, the vehicle was traveling southbound when it went off-road and hit a large tree.
Nichole Dempsey, 43, of Plymouth, New Hampshire was in the front passenger seat during the crash and died at the scene, state police said. The vehicle’s driver, 50-year-old James Deveau of Epping, New Hampshire and the other occupant, 37-year-old Robert Ayer of Concord, New Hampshire, were taken to Concord Hospital with serious injuries.
Deveau was arrested at the hospital and charged with aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and operating after suspension.
As a result of the crash, I-93 was closed for approximately four hours while officials conducted an investigation. State police and the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Unit are continuing their investigation on the incident.
Officials did not announce an arraignment date for Deveau. It is unclear if he has an attorney.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Daniel Quartulli at 603-223-8993.
