NJ Man Dies During I-95 Crash; Woman From Maine Charged With DWI

SEABROOK, NH — A New Jersey man died on Tuesday after being ejected from a Jeep that was struck by another vehicle driven by a woman from Maine who state police say was driving drunk.

New Hampshire State Police troopers were called to Interstate 95 in Seabrook for a multi-vehicle crash at just after noon-time. During the investigation, troopers alleged a 2020 Subaru Outback, driven by Sue Sargent, 66, of Eliot, Maine, “started to drift to the left, departing its lane of travel,” according to Staff Sgt. Steven Wheeler of Troop A.

“The Subaru crossed into lane 4, which was occupied by a 2019 Toyota Sienna, resulting in a sideswipe impact between the two vehicles,” he said.

Neither the driver, from Franklin, Massachusetts, nor two passengers were injured during the crash. However, the Subaru then drifted to its left, through the center median, and crossed into the southbound lane of traffic, and collided with a Jeep Wrangler, Wheeler said. This caused the Jeep to roll over, he said, and it stopped on its roof. The Subaru also came to a rest in the southbound travel lane, Wheeler said.

A passenger in the Jeep, Michael Hoffman, 27, of Colonia, New Jersey, was ejected. He was taken to the Seabrook emergency room of Portsmouth Regional Hospital where he later died. The driver and passenger were also taken to the ER with minor injuries.

Sargent was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital with serious injuries and was later charged with aggravated driving while under the influence. She was released later on personal recognizance. Sargent will be arraigned in Rockingham Superior Court at a later date.

The state police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit was requested to investigate the fatal crash. The highway was closed for around five hours. Troopers were assisted by Seabrook police and firefighters and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

“Although physical impairment appears to be a contributing factor,” Wheeler said, “all aspects of this crash remain under investigation.”

Anyone that may have further information related to this crash, contact Trooper Eric Torrens at 603-223-4381 or email at Eric.M.Torrens@dos.nh.gov.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire State Police and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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