Police Release Name of Elderly Woman Killed in Crash

Authorities have released the name of the woman who was pronounced dead after a head-on vehicle crash on May 13 on West Main Road. 

Ethel Chafton, 78, of Second Street, Portsmouth, died on May 13, 2013, after sustaining injuries in a head-on crash on West Main Road in Portsmouth. 

A 2001 Chevrolet Malibu was travelling south on West Main Road around 10 a.m. on May 13, when it crossed over the double-yellow lines near Locust Avenue and collided head-on with a 2008 Isuzu Box truck, police said. 

Portsmouth Rescue crews used hydraulic tools to remove the woman trapped in the vehicle. She was transported to Newport Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The name of the victim was previously withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The operator of the Isuzu box truck, Richard McKenna, 52, of Palmer, MA, was transported to Newport Hospital with apparent minor injuries.