Wrong-Way Massachusetts Driver Killed In Route 101 Crash In NH

CANDIA, NH — A Massachusetts man died on Sunday after driving around 30 miles on the wrong side of the two highways and later, crashing into trees on Route 101.

Around 1:45 a.m., a state trooper on patrol on Interstate 93 in Salem reported seeing an SUV "coming at him, head-on," while driving north in the southbound lane. Other troopers were called to the Interstate to set up rolling road blocks to try stop the vehicle, later identified as a 2003 Ford Escape. The wrong-way driver though "repeatedly drove at the troopers and then around them," noted Lt. J. Hennessey of Troop B.

The troopers laid spike strips attempting to stop the SUV but those were unsuccessful, too.

At the Route 101 split in Manchester, the driver began driving east in the westbound lane.

"Troopers conducted rolling roadblocks where possible and were signaling motorists to stop all along the way," Hennessey said.

Around Mile Marker 105.6 in Candia, the Escape drove off the highway into the woods, crashing into trees. The driver, Davide Hartenstein, 39, of Fitchburg, MA, was pronounced dead.

State police said they were assisted by Candia and Raymond police, the Candia Fire Department, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is encouraged to contact Trooper P. Sankowich at the New Hampshire State Police – Troop A Barracks at 603-583-3795.

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