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Driver dies after car accident and fire

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A Nashua man is dead when his car struck a concrete barrier at the Bedford toll plaza and caught fire Thursday afternoon, state police said. New Hampshire State Police said troopers responded to the crash report around 3:15 p.m. Thursday and the vehicle, a Mercedes, caught fire at the Everett Turnpike toll plaza. State police said the Mercedes was traveling southbound when it struck the barrier at the toll plaza and caught fire. The driver, Scott Defreitas, 52, of Nashua, was pulled from the Mercedes by witnesses, state police said. He died at the scene, authorities said. State police said four E-ZPass lanes were closed for about three hours. The car could be seen on video from witnesses engulfed in flames. Police said one person was inside the car. First responders were seen performing CPR on one person for about 10 minutes before they stopped. “Look, it was a shock. It was really scary. The man was still on the ground when we drove by and the firefighters were trying to put out the fire,” said Robert Webster. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <

BEDFORD, NH —

A Nashua man was killed when a car crashed into a concrete barrier at the Bedford toll booth and caught fire Thursday afternoon, state police said.

New Hampshire State Police said troopers responded to a report of the accident around 3:15 p.m. Thursday and the vehicle, a Mercedes, caught fire at the Everett Turnpike toll plaza.

According to state police, the Mercedes was traveling south when it hit the toll gate and caught fire.

The driver, Scott Defreitas, 52, of Nashua, was pulled from the Mercedes by witnesses, state police said. He died at the scene, authorities said.

State police said four E-ZPass lanes were closed for about three hours.

Videos taken by witnesses showed that the car was on fire.

Police said there was one person in the car. Emergency crews performed CPR on one person for about 10 minutes before stopping.

“Look, it was a shock. It was really scary. The gentleman was still on the ground when we passed by and the firefighters were trying to put out the fire,” said Robert Webster.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <

Traffic was backed up for at least a mile.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, there have been six accidents at toll booths in the state in the last three months.

“It’s not because of snow. The roads are clear and dry and it’s because of speed or inattentive driving or sometimes distracted or impaired driving and that’s very concerning,” said Richard Arcand of NHDOT.

The state has closed some of its toll booths in other parts of the state and there are plans to eventually do the same in Bedford.

The accident remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the accident or has helpful information is asked to contact Trooper Gazlay at [email protected].

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