Crash probe team will address restraint questions

Madison Weeks (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - A Rochester Police Captain said Wednesday it may be some time before a final forensic analysis is completed on the fatal accident earlier this month that claimed the life of a beloved 7-year-old Strafford girl, including whether or not she was properly restrained inside the car prior to the crash.

Madison Weeks of Strafford died at Maine Medical Center in Portland after being transported there after the accident, which occurred on Feb. 19 on Route 202 near the Barrington, N.H., line in the area of Blue Hills Drive. An intense area snowstorm was in progress at the time of the crash.

Preliminary investigation revealed Madison Weeks was traveling in a Chevrolet Malibu driven by her mom, Lori Weeks, when her vehicle skidded into the oncoming lane of traffic and hit another vehicle. Lori Weeks was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital with what were described as nonlife-threatening injuries.

Rochester Police Captain Paul Toussaint confirmed last week that Madison Weeks was lying on the ground outside the Malibu when first responders arrived at the scene of the accident. He said he could not confirm whether or not she was in any type of restraint device.

The Strafford County Regional Technical Accident Resconstruction Team is currently doing a complete forensic examination of the accident, including the vehicles involved and that he would have no further comment on the case until their findings are released.

According to safety laws in New Hampshire, children under 7 years old - or 57 inches tall (4-foot-9) or under - must ride in a federally approved safety seat or booster, and that all children between 7 and 17 must wear a seat belt.

New Hampshire does not have a seat belt requirement for adults.