Members of a New Hampshire community, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps, recently gathered to erect a memorial in honor of seven Marines who died two years ago. The seven military veterans succumbed to injuries sustained in a collision involving their motorcycles and a pickup truck. The driver of the pickup truck has been in jail since then and is facing multiple charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol.
Pickup truck driver has pleaded not guilty
The man deemed responsible for the deaths of seven motorcyclists is not only facing DUI charges but has also been charged with multiple counts of reckless conduct, negligent homicide and manslaughter. He has entered a plea of not guilty in the case. Traffic officials say the crash was the worst ever in New Hampshire’s history. The group of decedents has come to be known as “The Fallen Seven,” and the memorial recently put on display in their honor includes their names and military logos.
Governor Sununu posted about the memorial on social media
Governor Chris Sununu took to Twitter to share his thoughts on behalf of New Hampshire, stating that the state gives pause on the anniversary date of the collision to remember the seven people who lost their lives. The governor also said that the state remembers the decedents’ grieving families and gives honor to the first responders who rendered aid that day. The governor’s Tweet said that the state will never forget those whose lives were taken too soon.
Support is available for grieving New Hampshire families
Sadly, the tragedy of the seven fallen Marines will undoubtedly not be the last collision in New Hampshire that has been reportedly caused by a drunk driver. When a family experienced the sudden death of a loved one in a collision that was likely preventable were it not for the irresponsible choices of a drunk driver, their grief is intensified. State law allows immediate family members in such cases to seek restitution by filing a wrongful death claim in a civil court on behalf of a deceased loved one.