NH Driver Charged In Deaths Of Police Officer, Wife

EPPING, NH — A New Hampshire driver was charged Friday in connection with the deaths of a former Massachusetts police officer and his wife. Ryan Kittredge, 31, of Derry, was arrested and accused of negligent homicide and reckless conduct. Police said he drove his truck the wrong way on Route 101 and slammed head-on into a sedan occupied by John and Heidi Johnson Jan. 10.

The Johnsons died at the scene of the crash. John was 58; Heidi was 57. John Johnson was a police officer in Townsend for 40 years. He retired last year at the rank of sergeant.

"He was a great guy, an old school police officer right out of central casting," Townsend Deputy Police Chief James Sartell told Patch.

Heidi Johnson worked at Hannaford.

"Heidi enjoyed lighthouses, llamas and camping," the couple's obituary reads. "But most importantly Heidi’s family was her world. She was there for all her children, siblings, especially being her sister Linda’s guardian, all with unconditional love."

The couple left four children.

"John enjoyed cooking, scuba diving, woodworking and played the bagpipes," the obituary reads.

Another driver, a 23-year-old from Raymond, was also injured when he crashed into Kittredge's truck.

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• Longtime Police Officer, Wife Killed In Wrong-Way NH Crash

Ryan Kittredge of Derry, #NH is escorted by @NH_StatePolice to jail on negligent homicide and reckless conduct charges in deaths of John and Heidi Johnson in wrong way crash in Epping. @seacoastonline pic.twitter.com/6hyvq4YC97
— Rich Beauchesne (@photorichierich) January 25, 2019

Lead photo: Ryan Kittredge's mugshot following his arrest Jan. 25, 2019. (Credit: New Hampshire State Police)