Pamela Savard, 78, Died in Manchester Car Accident With Recycling Truck in Chipotle Parking Lot on Winchester Street
MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE (May 21, 2026) – A 78-year-old woman identified as Pamela Savard has tragically died in a Keene recycling truck accident at a parking lot along Winchester Street.
Cheshire County officials are saying that the accident took place shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. A recycling truck owned by Agri-Cycle Energy of South Portland was backing into the parking lot of a Chipotle when it struck Pamela Savard.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the crash to help the victim. Sadly, Pamela Savard was beyond medical aid and later died due to the severe nature of her injuries.
The driver of the recycling truck remained at the scene and cooperated with the police. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, we believe our New Hampshire community deserves to feel safe and protected, which is why we share these stories, to offer a guiding light and ensure that families facing the unimaginable always know they have a voice and a right to justice.
DiBella Law remains committed to improving public safety and increasing transparency through our Free Police Report program. If you’ve been involved in any type of accident that required a police response, we can help you get a copy of the police report created at no cost or obligation to you.
Who Is Liable for a New Hampshire Garbage or Recycling Truck Crash?
Recycling truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license and are expected to operate their vehicles with an abundance of caution. This is due in part to the recognition of the extreme dangers posed by trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles. Drivers must be especially cautious when backing up their vehicle. Pursuant to NH Rev Stat § 265:94, “The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic.” Drivers should take a number of measures to avoid colliding with pedestrians or other vehicles while backing up.
- Blind Spots: Drivers should check their blind spots to make sure that vehicles or pedestrians have not entered behind them as they are backing up.
- Leaving Vehicle: If a driver is not able to check their blind spot because of how large a vehicle is, they may need to physically exit their vehicle to ensure that they are able to safely back up.
- Backup Slowly: Drivers should always back up slowly and be ready to stop at a moment’s notice.
- Spotter: Drivers may need to use a spotter to help guide them as they are backing up a vehicle.
If a truck driver backs into a pedestrian or vehicle, this could serve as evidence of negligence. There is simply no excuse for a driver to back over any pedestrian. These types of accidents are nearly always the result of drivers that are not paying adequate attention to their surroundings. Liability for any accident involving a commercial truck could extend beyond the specific driver determined to be at fault. The company that a truck driver was working for could also be legally responsible. As a general rule, employers can be vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
How to Protect Your Rights After a New Hampshire Parking Lot Accident
Parking lots can be extremely dangerous places for pedestrians. According to the National Safety Council, “Parking lots are riskier than you think. Tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.” It is vital that evidence be properly gathered after a pedestrian is injured in a truck accident at a parking lot.
- Surveillance Footage: Parking lots are often covered by many different security cameras. Any surveillance footage captured by these cameras should be sought early on before it is lost.
- Work Records: All of the work records for the truck driver involved in the crash should be carefully reviewed. In particular, the safety record of the truck driver involved also matters.
- Police Report: Another important item to consider after any truck accident in the parking lot is the police report created. Police reports represent an officer’s initial impressions of how an accident took place and who may be at fault.
- Medical Records: Medical records related to the treatment of a person’s injuries are also extremely important. These records can help paint a clear picture of how any accident took place, even in the absence of eyewitnesses or surveillance footage.
Pedestrian accidents tend to be highly preventable. Part of the problem is that companies often push their drivers to complete work schedules on unrealistic time frames. This can lead drivers to adopt unsafe driving habits. Unfortunately, it is innocent by standards that often pay for these choices with their bodies and lives. The family of any person who died due to the negligent actions of a truck driver is able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a wrongful death claim.
New Hampshire Truck Accident Lawyers: Investigating Your Claim
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Pamela Savard. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be prevented. Many different questions remain unanswered at this time. What is the safety record of the driver involved? Is there a history of collisions at this particular parking lot?
Do you need more information about a Keene recycling truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping members of the public understand their rights and holding negligent companies fully accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique facts of any case, we may be able to assist you. You are always welcome to contact us anytime at 855-342-3552.
