PrideStar EMS Driver, Retired Firefighter Dies In Head-On Pelham Crash

PELHAM, NH - A driver for PrideStar EMS and retired Lowell, MA firefighter has died from injuries sustained in an accident on Bridge Street near Pelham Road in Pelham Thursday.

Pelham Fire, police, and EMS responded to a report of a head-on collision on Bridge Street at 5:49 a.m. involving two vehicles. Responders arrived and found two vehicles with significant damage and one of the vehicles was on fire.

The operators of both vehicles were unconscious and in the vehicles when responders arrived. Good Samaritans stopped on scene with fire extinguishers and assisted officers with knocking down the fire until the fire department arrived, according to Pelham Police

Both occupants of the vehicles were transported to Massachusetts hospitals, despite life-saving measures one person died, and the second was in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

One of the vehicles was a PrideStar EMS transport van which is used to transport special needs students to area schools and programs in Southern New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts.

Robert “Rob” Laflamme has been identified as the person who died, and in a GoFundMe set up the says:

"We are creating this GoFundMe page for the family of our fallen employee, Robert "Rob" Laflamme.

It is with profound sadness that we wish to inform you that our dedicated employee, Robert “Rob” Laflamme, tragically passed away yesterday, July 19th, 2023.

Rob joined the Pridestar team in 2017 working for both the ambulance and student transportation companies. He was a devoted caretaker to the patients and students he came in contact with. So much so that he prolonged his retirement due to a special bond he formed with a medically fragile student he transported this school year.

As a retired Lowell Fire Fighter, Rob had an outgoing personality and formed great relationships with his fellow coworkers. He was a valuable asset to our team and the community and will be deeply missed.

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with Rob’s family during this most difficult time.”

As of the time of publishing the GoFundMe page had raised $5,600 of a $15,000 goal.

In an interview with the Lowell Sun, mentioned "Laflamme, a retired Lowell firefighter, had developed a close bond with one student in particular. David Daly, president, and CEO of the parent company that owns PrideStar Trinity EMS, said the student and Laflamme adored each other. Their bond played a key role in Laflamme’s decision to shelve retirement."

“Part of Rob’s calling was to stay on and continue to help transport this child to and from school,” Daly said. “The guy was so committed to this child. It was amazing to see.”
Bonding with a man like Laflamme was easy, according to Chris Dick, the senior vice president of public relations and marketing for PrideStar Trinity EMS.
“He was a funny, nice guy, and he just liked taking care of people,” Dick said. “He was a good man.”

The New Hampshire State Police Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team was called in to assist with the investigation. At this time the exact cause of the accident or the identity of the other driver has not been released.

Pelham Police ask that if you witnessed this accident contact Detective Montano at bmontano@pelhampolice.com or (603) 635-2411.