One Dead, One Seriously Injured in Route 119 Head-On Crash in Rindge

September 25, 2025

By: Scanner Alerts Media Group

Rindge Police say a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Route 119 Wednesday night left Richard Pezzolesi, 52, of Winchendon, Mass., deceased and Robert Adams, 24, of Ashburnham, Mass., seriously injured.

According to the release, at about 9:16 p.m. on September 24, police and fire responded near 422 Route 119 for a report of entrapment, a vehicle fire, and serious injuries. With help from a good Samaritan, officers extinguished the fire. Pezzolesi, the sole occupant of a gray 2018 Ford Fiesta, was pronounced deceased by EMS. Adams, the sole occupant of a gray 2023 Jeep Compass, self-extricated and was evaluated on scene. A med-flight was requested but unavailable due to weather; Adams was transported by Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment of serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

The initial investigation determined the Fiesta was traveling west on Route 119 and attempted to turn onto Old Ashburnham Road, entering the path of the eastbound Compass. The vehicles collided head-on and rolled together more than 100 feet before stopping on the eastbound shoulder. The Compass came to rest on its passenger side, stacked on top of the driver’s side of the Fiesta. Both vehicles had heavy front-end damage.

A third vehicle, a gray 2021 Honda Accord driven by James Bertram, 47, of Rindge, drove through the debris field before first responders arrived, causing undercarriage damage and disabling the car. No additional injuries were reported from that secondary incident. A fourth vehicle also drove through the debris field and did not stop; the extent of any damage or injuries is unknown. That driver is asked to contact Rindge Police.

Gauthier’s Auto Services handled vehicle recovery and towing. All three vehicles were towed to Cliff’s Auto Body & Repair, both of Jaffrey. Route 119 was closed to through traffic for about four hours.

Agencies assisting included Rindge Police, Rindge Fire and Rescue, Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance, Winchendon Ambulance, Jaffrey Fire, Ashburnham Police, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, Cournoyer’s Family Funeral Home, and the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office. The crash remains under investigation. Witnesses are asked to contact Officer Sam Kelley at (603) 899-5009 ext. 46 or Chief Rachel D. Malynowski at ext. 15.

Credit: Rindge Police Department