Candia, NH – A Nashua man died early Monday morning following a fiery single-vehicle crash on Route 101 eastbound near Exit 3 in Candia, according to New Hampshire State Police.
Troopers responded around 6:38 a.m. on December 22 after receiving reports of a vehicle fire. When they arrived, they found a heavily damaged Subaru Outback that had struck a bridge abutment. Several good Samaritans had already stopped to help and extinguished the flames.
According to investigators, the 2025 Subaru Outback was driven by 58-year-old Joseph J. Lavoie of Nashua. Police say Lavoie lost control of the vehicle for reasons still under investigation. The Subaru drifted off the right side of the highway, struck an embankment, and collided with the bridge support at the Old Candia Road overpass. The car’s engine detached and caught fire.
Lavoie was transported to a local hospital but later died from his injuries.
Due to the crash’s severity, the NHSP Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Unit was called to assist. Route 101 eastbound was closed for several hours for cleanup and investigation, reopening around 10:13 a.m.
Candia and Auburn fire departments, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation also assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Kevin LeDoux online.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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