Bicyclist's Death Spurs Renewed Push to Improve Bridge Safety

The New Hampshire bridge where a Hamilton mother was killed when she was struck by a car during a 100-mile bicycle ride last month may be getting upgrades.

The crash, which took the life of Pamela Wells of Hamilton and Elise Bouchard of Danvers, happened when they were both struck by a car being driven by Darriean Hess, 19, of Seabrook, N.H. Hess has been charged with two counts of negligent homicide and two counts of second-degree assault.

Wells and Bouchard had just started the Granite State Wheelmen Century Ride when the crash occurred, which also injured two other riders.

The Portsmouth Herald newspaper reports on its Seacoast Online website that there is new interest in making safety improvements to the Neil Underwood Bridge, which is a drawbridge. It connects Hampton and Seabrook, N.H. over the Hampton River, just south of Hampton Beach.

After the crash, a memorial to the two women was set up on the northern edge of the bridge. Following Wells death, the Hamilton-Wenham community stepped up to help her family and a college fund was established for her two high school age children.

Participating in the meeting earlier this month were local, state and regional officials from the New Hampshire seacoast, including members of the Rockingham Planning Commission, the state Department of Transportation and Executive Councilor Chris Sununu, reports the Herald.

Exeter, N.H. Town Planner Sylvia von Aulock took part in the 100-mile ride and said safety could be improved if state transportation officials more often took into consideration pedestrian and bicycle safety by building roads that have designated areas for walkers and bikers.

To read complete coverage by the Portsmouth Herald, click here.