Police probing 'all aspects' of crash, including why man was in cargo area

Scene of last Saturday's crash; right, Tyler Webber (Crash site, Rochester Police photo; Webber photo/Courtesy/GoFundme)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police said on Thursday they continue to investigate all aspects of last Saturday's fatal crash on Chestnut Hill Road, including why the man who died was traveling in the cargo area of a U-Haul truck when it plowed into a tree.

Tyler Webber, 28, who was in the rear cargo area and not restrained at the time of the crash, died at the scene, police say.

The driver of the truck, Albert Crement, 62, and a passenger who was sitting up front, Mary Bristow, 50, both of Rochester, were also injured.

Bristow, who was the more seriously hurt, is in good condition and is expected to be discharged from Portsmouth Regional Hospital today, said Lynn Robbins, the hospital's Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

The crash occurred on Chestnut Hill Road in the area of Roger Allen Park around 12:50 p.m.

When police arrived they found the U-Haul truck with substantial damage in the northbound lane.

Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said while police continue to probe "all aspects" of the crash, the Strafford County Accident Reconstruction Team also continues to investigate what led to the accident.

A U-Haul International spokesperson said customers are warned in three ways about the dangers of riding in the cargo area.

"U-Haul does not permit customers or passengers to be in the cargo area of its equipment while it is on the roadways," said Jeff Lockridge, manager of media and public relations. "All persons must ride in the cab of the vehicle. Anyone attempting to ride in the cargo area risks serious or fatal injury. This is stipulated in the U-Haul customer rental contract, the U-Haul truck user instructions provided to customers and also on a prominent decal posted in the cargo area of U-Haul box trucks."

Police are asking that anyone who may have witnessed the accident or may have any information regarding it contact them at 603-330-7128. You can also provide information and remain anonymous by calling the Rochester Crime Line at 603-335-6500 or Text to: CRIMES (274637) Body of Text: TEXT4CASH + your tip. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest.