1 Killed, 2 Hurt In Failed Highway Pass In NH's White Mountains

COLUMBIA, NH — A New Hampshire woman was killed in Columbia Thursday after police said a driver collided with another driver head-on in a failed passing move on Route 3. The deceased was identified as Evelyn Goudreau, 79, of Colebrook. Police said she was a passenger in a Ford Edge sport utility vehicle driven by Susan Ladd, 54, of Canaan, Vermont.

Ladd was driving northbound on Route 3 at about 2:45 p.m. when she tried to pass a vehicle in a legal passing zone, according to New Hampshire State Police Sergeant Victor Muzzey. Ladd collided with Robert Purington, 71, of Pittsburg, NH, Muzzey said. Ladd and Purington were hospitalized with serious injuries. Purington was driving a Subaru Forester.

Muzzey said speed and alcohol were ruled out as potential causes of the crash. Columbia is in Northern New Hampshire close to the Vermont border.

• This story will be updated.

Photo: The scene of a fatal crash in Columbia, NH, August 23, 2018. (Credit: New Hampshire State Police)