Grief counselors available after tragic crash claims young life in New Hampshire

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Grief counselors are available at Southside Middle School following a tragic car crash that killed a 13-year-old boy early Wednesday morning. Police confirmed that the boy, who has not been publicly identified, was a student in the Manchester School District.

Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel expressed sorrow over the loss. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students, and our thoughts are with those impacted by this motor vehicle accident,” she said in a statement. The school district has introduced additional resources, including community grief counselors, to help students and parents cope with the tragedy.

The incident occurred around 12:50 a.m. when officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim, a food delivery driver, reported his 2014 Toyota Corolla stolen after leaving it briefly unattended. Police later spotted the Corolla on Kenberma Street, traveling without headlights.

When officers initiated a chase, the driver fled and officers lost sight of the vehicle. About an hour later, state police discovered the crashed Corolla on Route 101, where it had rolled over.

Responding emergency crews found two occupants ejected from the vehicle. The boy was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A 14-year-old girl, also a passenger, was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Her condition remains unknown.

Investigators determined that the Corolla was exiting Route 101 onto Kilton Road when the crash occurred. Police noted that neither occupant was wearing seatbelts.

The vehicle involved was confirmed as the same one reported stolen earlier that evening. The Bedford Police Department Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is conducting an investigation into the crash.