Multi-Vehicle Crash Shuts Section of NH’s Spaulding Turnpike

Distracted driving appears to have been the cause of a chain reaction, multi-vehicle crash that closed a section of the southbound Spaulding Turnpike Saturday morning.

New Hampshire State Police said the driver of a Subaru WRX sedan, Christos Kolegue-Spalaris, 24, of Newfields, did not slow down as he approached traffic stopped for a construction lane closure approaching the Dover toll plaza around 10:30 a.m.

Kolegue-Spalaris struck the back of a stopped Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by Ann Mayranen, 57, of Sanbornville, which in turn hit a GMC Yukon, driven by Christopher Ellis, 41, of Dover. The impact sent the Yukon into the back of a Chevrolet Equinox driven by Renee Cooper, 54, of Somersworth.

The crash closed the highway for about 45 minutes.

Mayranen was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital with serious injuries, and was in serious condition Saturday afternoon, according to State Police.  Kolegue-Spalaris and his child passenger were taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital to be checked over and were released. The other drivers were examined at the crash scene.

No charges have yet been filed.

State Police asked any witnesses to the crash to contact them at 603-223-4381.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH