Richard Pezzolesi Obituary, Death – Authorities in Rindge, New Hampshire, have confirmed the identity of a Massachusetts man who lost his life in a fiery head-on crash Wednesday night. Police say 52-year-old Richard Pezzolesi of Winchendon, Massachusetts, was killed when his vehicle collided with another car along Route 119.
Richard Pezzolesi Obituary, Death, Cause.
Emergency crews were called to the area near Old Ashburnham Road at about 9:16 p.m. following reports of a serious crash involving fire, entrapment, and major injuries. When officers and firefighters arrived, they discovered two heavily damaged vehicles and flames erupting from the wreckage. With the assistance of a Good Samaritan, Rindge police were able to extinguish the fire before it spread further.
Pezzolesi, who had been driving a Ford Fiesta, was trapped in his vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel. Efforts to save him were unsuccessful. His death marked the most tragic outcome of the collision.
The other driver, who was behind the wheel of a Jeep Compass, managed to escape his vehicle without assistance. He was treated at the scene and then taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Although he sustained serious injuries, officials said his condition was not considered life-threatening. A medical helicopter had initially been requested to expedite his transfer, but poor weather prevented any aircraft from flying.
Investigators with the Rindge Police Department determined that the crash occurred when the Ford Fiesta was traveling west on Route 119 and attempted to make a turn onto Old Ashburnham Road. At that moment, the Jeep Compass, traveling eastbound, struck the Ford head-on. The violent impact caused both vehicles to roll together for more than 100 feet before finally coming to rest along the eastbound shoulder of Route 119. The Jeep ended up on its passenger side, partially on top of the Ford, underscoring the force of the collision. Both vehicles sustained catastrophic front-end damage.
As first responders worked the scene, they learned that two other vehicles had also been affected by the aftermath of the crash. A Honda Accord passed through the debris field shortly after the collision. While the driver was not injured, the vehicle’s undercarriage was damaged badly enough to render it immobile. A fourth vehicle was also reported to have driven through the debris field, but its driver did not stop. Police are now asking this individual to come forward, as they may be able to provide important details that could help with the ongoing investigation.
Route 119 was closed for approximately four hours Wednesday night as crews extinguished the fire, cleared the roadway, and began their examination of the scene. Traffic was eventually restored once the area was deemed safe.
The crash remains under active investigation. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision or its aftermath to contact the Rindge Police Department. Officer Sam Kelley and Police Chief Rachel Malynowski are leading the inquiry and can be reached at the department’s main number for anyone able to provide information.
The loss of Richard Pezzolesi has left family, friends, and the Winchendon community grieving the sudden and devastating outcome of the crash. As investigators continue their work, they are focused on piecing together the sequence of events and determining whether other factors—such as speed, lighting, or driver error—played a role in the tragedy.
