Fatal Crash at Bedford Toll Plaza

BEDFORD, N.H. – One person is deceased following a single-vehicle crash at the Bedford Toll Plaza. 

At 3:15 p.m. today, June 13, State Troopers from Troop B responded to a report that a vehicle crashed and caught fire at the toll plaza on the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Bedford.

The initial investigation has determined the involved vehicle, a Mercedes SL 500, was traveling south when it struck a concrete barrier at the toll plaza and subsequently caught fire. The driver, later identified as Scott Defreitas, 52, of Nashua, was pulled from the vehicle by several witnesses. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Defreitas was pronounced deceased on scene. 

Members of the Bedford Fire Department and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation also responded and assisted Troop B at the scene. Due to the crash, four E-ZPass lanes were shut down for approximately three hours to extinguish the fire, process the scene, and clear the roadway of debris. 

All aspects of the crash remain under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has additional information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Gazlay at Kevin.J.Gazlay@dos.nh.gov.