Crime & Safety

Darriean Hess Pulled Over Hours Before Fatal Crash

Darriean Hess, 20, of Seabrook, struck and killed two bicyclists in Hampton Saturday, authorities said.

By Kyle Stucker

Darriean Hess, the 20-year-old driver who police said struck and killed two bicyclists in Hampton Saturday, was pulled over hours before the crash in the same spot.

Hess, 20, of Seabrook, was pulled over after doing 59 mph in a 30-mph zone while crossing the Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge in Hampton Saturday at about 12:45 a.m., according to Hampton Deputy Police Chief Rich Sawyer.

Hess initially told the officer who stopped her that she didn't have her license on her, but later told the officer that she didn't actually have a license, according to Sawyer.

Hess was cited for speeding and driving without a license. A friend retrieved her 2002 Honda Civic, according to Sawyer.

About eight hours later, Hess was driving the same vehicle over the same bridge when authorities said she veered into the opposite lane of traffic and slammed into a group of four bicyclists participating in the annual Granite State Wheelmen Tri-State Seacoast Century Ride.

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Pamela Wells, 60, of South Hamilton, Mass., and Elise Bouchard, 52, of Danvers, Mass. were killed.

The injured riders were Uwe Uhmeyer, 60, of Essex, Mass., and Margo Heigh, 54, of Danvers, Mass., police said.

Sawyer said it was unclear why Hess veered into the group. He said an investigation was ongoing. As of Monday, no charges had been filed.

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"There are developments," Sawyer said Monday.


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