Veteran police officer, 58, and his wife killed in horror crash after driver made a ‘U-turn on the highway, sped down the wrong side of the road and crashed into them head-on’
- Sgt. John Johnson and his wife Heidi were pronounced dead at the scene
- Ryan Kittredge, 31, made a u-turn on the highway and drove the wrong way
- The two cars collided head-on blocking both lanes – which caused a third crash
- Police say Thursday night’s impact was totally ‘unavoidable’ for the Johnsons
- Kittredge is said to have suffered serious injuries after being airlifted to hospital
A long-serving police sergeant and his wife were killed in Townsend, Massachusetts on Thursday night, after a driver made a U-turn on the highway and crashed into them head-on.
John Johnson, 58, and his wife Heidi, 57, were pronounced dead at the scene on the New Hampshire Highway.
Police say 31-year-old Ryan Kittredge made a U-turn in his Dodge pickup truck on Route 101 west at around 11.40pm Thursday, and began speeding in the wrong direction.
The Chevrolet Impala driven by Johnson was ‘unable to avoid the collision,’ they concluded.
Along with his wife Heidi, John Johnson (pictured left and right) was killed in Thursday evening’s horror crash. The 59-year-old had been serving in the local police force since 1978
Driver of the pick-up truck (seen pictured), Ryan Kettredge, made a u-turn on the highway according to police, shortly before crashing into the Johnsons
‘It is with great sadness that I am sharing news of the tragic death of Sgt. John Johnson and his wife in a car crash,’ Townsend Police Chief Richard Bailey said in a Facebook Post.
‘Sgt. Johnson has served the Townsend community since 1978. Please take time to remember this fine officer and his family.’
Both lanes of the highway were blocked following the crash, causing a third vehicle to plow into the wreckage.
Andrew Neeper, 23, was ‘unable to see the vehicles blocking the roadway because they were completely dark’, according to police.
Neeper was taken to the hospital with ‘non-life threatening’ injuries.
Ryan Kittredge was taken to Exeter Hospital, but was later airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital. He is said to have suffered serious injuries.
Deputy Chief James Sartell described Sgt. Johnson as an integral part of the department, which he joined as a reserve officer in 1978.
Debris from the crash can be seen scattered on the road. next to Johnson’s Chevrolet Impala. Both he and Heidi were pronounced dead at the scene
23-year-old Andrew Neeper was also involved in the crash, when his Ford Fusion (seen) struck the wreckage in the darkness
Johnson was made a full-time officer in 1985 and later ran the training division.
Sartell said Johnson was a very well liked officer who was renown as the ‘grill master’ for his culinary flair at the annual senior center cookout.
No charges have been filed yet in relation to the crash.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has more information related to it is asked to contact Trooper Daniel Quartulli at 603-223-8993 or daniel.quartulli@dos.nh.gov.