KEENE, NH – A Massachusetts man died in a head on collision in Hinsdale Tuesday evening.

According to a news release from New Hampshire State Police, troopers were called to the scene on Route 119 (Brattleboro Road) just south of Runnings near the Vermont State line around 5:50 pm Tuesday.

A preliminary investigation determined that Hinsdale Police were in the area for an unrelated incident when an officer witnessed a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta traveling westbound toward Vermont at a high rate of speed and operating erratically. The vehicle reversed direction and began heading eastbound and crossed into the westbound lane and collided with a 1999 Jeep Wrangler.

The driver of the Jetta, Dylan Morse, 21, of Winchester and one passenger, Teasha Kristolaitis, 21, also of Winchester, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for treatment. A second passenger, Richard Miner, 24, of Greenfield Massachusetts, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Jeep, Arthur Oefinger, 59, of Hinsdale, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The section of Route 119 was closed for about 7 hours as responders documented and cleared the scene.

A dog belonging to Kristolaitis was involved in the crash and has gone missing after he reportedly took off into the woods. He’s a brindle colored Pitbull/Boxer mix who answers to the name of Axel. He is wearing a collar but is likely frightened. Anyone who sees him shouldn’t chase him, but report the sighting to Granite State Dog Recovery at 1-855-639-5678.

The crash remains under investigation and NHSP says charges are possible. Anyone with information related to the crash should contact Trooper First Class Brian Ross at 603-931-2738, or at Brian.J.Ross@dos.nh.gov.