Canaan motor vehicle crash

Yesterday January 4, 2022 at approximately 8:02 AM the Canaan Police Department, Canaan Fire Department, Canaan Ambulance, responded to a motor vehicle crash in the area of Lafortune Road and Route 4. It was reported that a single vehicle had flipped over causing a person to be ejected from the vehicle and become lodged in a tree.

A preliminary investigation has shown that a white Ford Ranger was being driven erratically heading west on Route 4 when it failed to negotiate a left hand curve. The vehicle drifted off the right side of the roadway and the driver lost control causing the vehicle to skid back across both lanes of Route 4 and off the left side of the road. The vehicle then hit a snowbank which caused the vehicle to flip over and roll several times. During this evolution the driver and lone occupant was ejected from the vehicle and thrown into the trees along the edge of the roadway. The driver was briefly lodged in a tree approximately 7 feet off the ground. The vehicle then came to rest nearby.

Members of the Canaan Police, Canaan Fire and Canaan Ambulance began rendering aid to the driver, Joshua White age 29 from Canaan who appeared to suffer major injuries. Other members of the fire department set up a landing zone for the DHART helicopter at the corner or Route 4 and Switch Road. The driver was flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with what was believed to be life threatening injuries.

The case is still under investigation but speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash. If anyone witnessed this vehicles operation or the crash yesterday morning, we ask that you please call the Canaan Police Department at 603-523-7400.

AUTHORIZED –

SAMUEL W. FRANK, II

CANAAN CHIEF OF POLICE 603.523.7400