Driver distraction called factor in Dover crash that leaves woman seriously injured

Scene of Saturday's crash on the Spaulding Turnpike just north of the Dover tolls. (NHSP photo)

DOVER - Driver distraction is being blamed for a four-vehicle crash on the Spaulding Turnpike just north of the Dover tolls.
The crash occurred around 10:35 a.m. in a construction area in the southbound lanes near mile marker 7.
State Police say the first vehicle involved was a Subaru WRX sedan, driven by Christos Kolegue-Spalaris, 24, of Newfields, who also had a juvenile passenger in the vehicle with him.
According to a Department of Safety press release, Kolegue-Spalaris approached the vehicles in front of him, but did not appear to slow down for the traffic backup and crashed into the back of a Chrysler PT Cruiser, driven by Ann Mayranen, 57, of Sanbornville.
This caused the Chrysler to crash into a GMC Yukon, driven by Christopher Ellis, 41, of Dover, who then crashed into a Chevrolet Equinox driven by Renee Cooper, 54, of Somersworth.
The operator of the Chrysler, Mayranen, sustained serious injuries due to the crash and needed to be extricated from the vehicle. She was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital where she is now stable, police say.
Kolegue-Spalaris was transported to Wentworth Douglass Hospital, along with his juvenile passenger for precautionary reasons. Both have since been released.
The operators of the Yukon and the Equinox were medically cleared on scene.
New Hampshire State Police Troop A was assisted with this incident by Dover Fire and Rescue, Dover Police and the Department of Transportation. To process the scene, Route 16 south was shut down for about 45 minutes. Distraction appears to be a factor in the crash; however, all aspects of the crash remain under investigation. State Police are requesting that anyone who may have information pertaining to the incident to contact the investigating trooper, Trooper Seth Parker at Seth.W.Parker@dos.nh.gov