Stoneham Man Killed in I-93 Crash in NH

A Stoneham man and a woman from Merrimac, Mass. were both killed in a one-car crash on Interstate 93 in Salem, New Hampshire Friday night.

The crash was reported just minutes before midnight as a car into the woods near Exit 1 north that was on fire, with two people pinned and a possible fatality.

Upon arrival, State Police said they found a 2006 Ford F-150 with extensive damage from a significant impact with a large tree. The driver, Michael Joyce, 29, of Stoneham, Mass., and a passenger, Karina O'Donnell, 23, of Merrimac, Mass., were killed in the crash.

A medical helicopter was initially requested, but later cancelled.

The initial investigation revealed that the pick-up truck was traveling north on Interstate 93 and for unknown reasons drove through the  beginning portion of the off ramp to the Salem rest area and into the woods, police said. The vehicle then struck a large tree before coming to rest at the edge of a small body of water. The investigation is ongoing, however, it appears speed may be a factor, police said.

Two of the three lanes of Interstate 93 north remained open throughout the investigation. The Department of Transportation assisted with the closure of the emergency breakdown lane and right travel lane while state troopers reconstructed the accident, gathered evidence and removed the vehicle from the woods. Salem Fire and Salem Police also assisted at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Trooper Juan Infante at 603-223-8985.

Related Topics: Interstate 93 and NH State Police