A Wilton man died in a Dec. 1 auto accident on Route 31 in Greenville, and the other driver in the crash is facing charges of negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.

According to New Hampshire State Police, at approximately 7:39 p.m., the Greenville Police Department responded to a motor vehicle collision on Route 31, and stated that a red GMC pickup truck driven by 37-year-old Travis Worth of New Ipswich crossed the center line and collided with a Volkswagen Jetta driven by Kyle Tetreault, 35, of Wilton.

Kyle Tetreault died in the crash, and his passenger, 38-year-old Robert Tetreault of Wilton, was was airlifted to UMass Memorial Hospital with serious injuries, a press release issued by State Police following the crash said.

In an affidavit filed at Hillsborough Southern Superior Court, Trooper Nathaniel Goodwin stated that Worth’s vehicle was being followed by a third vehicle, whose driver was not involved in the crash, but did witness it. That driver told police that Worth’s truck crossed the center line several times and was having lane -control issues, according to the affidavit.

At the request of the Temple-Greenville Police Department, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (C.A.R.) Unit responded to the scene and assumed the lead of the on-scene investigation, which closed Route 31 for several hours, the affidavit said. 

Temple-Greenville Police Sgt. Michael Needham allegedly observed signs of possible impairment from Worth, including “red, glossy eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from Worth, according to the affidavit. A New Hampshire State Police officer who interviewed Worth also allegedly noticed the same signs of impairment, and observed him “swaying heavily” while he was standing.

During his interview with police, Goodwin alleged Worth admitted to have recently left the North Side Bar, and told police he had been drinking “Captain and Cokes.” Worth consented to a field sobriety test, Goodwin wrote, which was performed on scene, and also agreed to a blood draw to determine his blood alcohol levels.

Police transported Worth to Monadnock Community Hospital, and he agreed to submit a blood sample.

During a police interview, Goodwin’s affidavit stated, Worth told police he had arrived at the North Side Bar at approximately 4 p.m., and had drinks with his father and friends for about two hours, during which time he drank two or three Captain and Cokes and ate no food. He allegedly told police that he felt he was around a “two or three” on a scale of zero to 10 for alcohol impairment, where zero was having consumed no alcohol, and 10 was very drunk, but did not feel he was impaired to drive.

Worth was arraigned at the Hillsborough Superior Court South Thursday on charges of negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated, and entered pleas of not guilty on both counts, according to court documents.

According to a bail order on file at the court, Worth is in preventative detention based on evidence he may endanger the safety of himself or others, but could be eligible for release following the completion of a drug and alcohol counselor evaluation and psychological risk assessment. If released, he would not be allowed to drive, travel outside of New Hampshire, possess a firearm, dangerous weapon or ammunition, or consume any alcohol or narcotic drug. He must also refrain from contact with the Tetrault family.

According to State Police, at this time, impairment appears to be the primary cause of the collision, although all possible contributing factors are being considered.

Anyone who may have information related to this crash is asked to please contact Goodwin via phone at 603-545-4288 or by email at Nathaniel.D.Goodwin@dos.nh.gov.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.

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