ROCKINGHAM — The Vermont State Police on Sunday identified the victims of Saturday’s multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 northbound, in which a father and his 4-month-old daughter were killed.
The operator of the Hyundai passenger vehicle was Taylor Binnington, 39, of North Haven, Connecticut; he was pronounced dead on scene. His wife, Evelyn Lake, 36, was a passenger in the rear seat. Their 4-month-old daughter, Parry Lake, also was seated in the rear of the vehicle and was life-flighted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries. Evelyn Lake and the couple’s 3-year-old son were taken by ambulance to DHMC for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigation into this crash indicates multiple northbound vehicles were involved in minor crashes and slide-offs due to deteriorated road conditions and low visibility in a snow squall. Vehicle No. 2, a 2024 Peterbilt fuel tanker truck, had stopped due to the crashes ahead. The Hyundai was unable to stop in the slippery conditions and rear-ended the fuel tanker.
A “mass casualty event” had been declared because of the number of vehicles involved in the crash, or other crashes that followed, but police said only the four people in the original vehicle were injured.
The accident closed the northbound lane of Interstate 91 for hours, and a short closure on the southbound lane as well.
About 10 other vehicles also crashed, but were not related to the original crash, which occurred at 9:45 a.m., police said.
The accident scene was located about three quarters of a mile south of Exit 6 in Rockingham. Prior to the accident, there were a series of heavy snow squalls in the area.
At least three vehicles were located in the median, and one sport utility vehicle had rolled over. All the other vehicles involved in the various crashes and slide-offs were removed or able to be driven off the interstate.
The Vermont State Police were assisted on scene by Westminster Fire Department, Rockingham Fire Department, Golden Cross Ambulance, Rescue Inc, Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division, Chester Police, AOT, SG Reed towing, and J&M Auto.