Death Alley crash claims Iraq veteran

Community mourns Officer Sean Powers: (photo courtesy of Hopkinton Police Department)

Members of the Powers family of Hillsborough and their friends gathered at Sean Powers’ apartment in town early on Thursday to mourn his passing. Sean, who graduated from Hillsboro-Deering in 2002 and served two tours in Iraq as a Marine, was killed in an accident on Rt. 202 at approximately 1:24 a.m. Thursday morning, according to the State Police.

Sean was traveling west, returning from a shift at the Hopkinton Police Department, where he has been an officer for several months, riding a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle, when Henniker resident Jeff Dennis hit him from behind with his 1992 BMW. Dennis then abandoned his car. He was not apprehended until 7:30 a.m.

Sean was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The initial collision looked like it occurred in the travel lane,” said Captain Russell Conte of Troop D in Concord. “But we are still looking at whether the car was passing or not. It is a double yellow line in that area.”

According to a press release issued by the State Troopers, “Following the collision, a 2000 Honda Civic traveling in the same direction struck [Sean] a second time.”

“This is absolutely tragic,” said Detective Sergeant Ryan Murdough of the Henniker Police Department. “He had everything going for him.”

Captain Russell Conte of Troop D in Concord said alcohol is “something we’re looking closely at. We look at that closely in every fatal crash. It could be a factor. It’s too early to tell.”

“On my way to the scene of the accident it was clear, visibility was clear, the roads were dry, no adverse conditions at all,” Detective Murdough pointed out.

The accident occurred about a quarter mile west of the Old Concord Road access at the intersection where the old Golden Pineapple building is located. According to Captain Conte, that stretch of road is newly resurfaced and in good condition. According to DOT Bureau of Construction Director Ted Kitsis, there are no centerline rumble strips on that section of road because of the repaving. The rumble strips will be replaced when the project is completed.

“The operator of the BMW [Dennis] was taken to Concord Hospital. He is currently being questioned. I don’t believe he was seriously injured,” said Captain Conte. “Given the fact that he fled after his car came to rest, we have him with us. And we are hoping to get a statement. We’re working on that. Right now it does appear that there was a violation of law and we are exploring the potential for charges.”

The investigation remains open and is being conducted by Trooper James Decker at Troop D in Concord.

Sean is survived by older brother Peter, younger twins Daniel and Scott, youngest brother David, and parents Peter Sr. and Marilyn Powers. Peter Jr. and Scott also served as Marines in Iraq.

The State Police were assisted at the scene by units from the Henniker and Bow Police Departments, the Merrimack County Sheriff Department, Henniker Fire and Rescue as well as the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office and the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office.