July 7, 2021
SEABROOK, NH –WOODBRIDGE TWP/COLONIA, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Yesterday, a Woodbridge Township man from the Colonia section of town was killed in a serious motor vehicle crash in Seabrook, New Hampshire according to NH State Police.
On Tuesday, July 06, 2021 at approximately 12:09 p.m., troopers from New Hampshire State Police-Troop-A responded to a report of a serious motor vehicle collision on Interstate 95 South in the Town of Seabrook. Once on scene, troopers were able to determine that a 2020 Subaru Outback, driven by Sue Sargent, age 66 of Eliot Maine was traveling northbound in lane 3 when her vehicle started to drift to the left, departing its lane of travel. The Subaru crossed into lane 4, which was occupied by a 2019 Toyota Sienna, resulting in a sideswipe impact between the two vehicles. The Toyota Sienna was driven by Shannon Geoghegan, age 50 of Franklin, Massachusetts, who had two passengers with her at the time, Lawrence Geoghegan, age 58, and a juvenile male, all of whom were uninjured. After this impact, the Subaru continued drifting to its left and through the center median, crossing over into the southbound lanes of travel. Upon doing so, the Subaru collided with a 2016 Jeep Wrangler, which was driven by Joseph Hoffman, age 29 of Colonia, New Jersey. Hoffman had three passengers with him who are identified as Matthew Santangelo, age 29, of Colonia, NJ, Jamerson Tisch age 27, of Keyport, NJ, and Michael Hoffman, age 27, of Colonia, NJ. The force of this impact caused the Jeep to rollover and come to a position of rest off the western edge of the roadway on its roof. The Subaru was disabled due to the impact and came to a position of rest in the southbound travel lanes. During this post-impact sequence, Michael Hoffman was ejected from the Jeep, resulting in serious, life-threatening injuries. He was transported to the Seabrook Emergency Room of the Portsmouth Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Joseph Hoffman, Santangelo, and Tisch were also transported to the Seabrook Emergency Room for treatment of minor injuries.
Due to the nature of the crash and at the request of Troop A, the New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (C.A.R.) Unit responded to the scene and assumed control of the investigation.
Sue Sargent was transported to the Portsmouth Regional Hospital for treatment of serious injuries sustained in the collision. As a result of the investigation, Sargent was placed under arrest for Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence. She was released on personal recognizance bail and left in the care of the hospital for medical treatment. An arraignment date in the Rockingham Superior Court will be determined pending her medical release.
Due to the collision, three lanes of I-95 South were closed for approximately 5 hours while the scene was documented and the vehicles were recovered. The New Hampshire State Police were assisted on scene by the Seabrook Police Department, Seabrook Fire Department, and the NH Department of Transportation.
Although physical impairment appears to be a contributing factor, all aspects of this crash remain under investigation. Anyone that may have further information related to this crash, please contact Trooper Eric Torrens at 603-223-4381 or email at [email protected].
