Two Killed in Accident on I-93 in Salem

By Jo-Anne MacKenziejmackenzie@eagletribune.com SALEM — Two Massachusetts residents were killed in a single-vehicle accident just before midnight last night. Michael Joyce, 29, of Stoneham and Karina O’Donnell, 23, of Merrimac were killed after the pickup truck they were in hit a large tree off Interstate 93 North near the Salem rest area, according to New Hampshire State Police. Officers from Troop B responded to the accident scene at 11:55 p.m. Joyce was driving a 2006 Ford F250 pickup north on I-93 when he drove through the beginning of the off-ramp to the rest area, police said. The truck traveled off the ramp and into the woods, where it struck a large tree. Joyce and O’Donnell sustained fatal injuries in the crash, police said. The investigation is ongoing, but police said it appears speed may have been a factor in the crash. Two of three lanes of I-93 remained open while police and rescue personnel worked at the scene. State Department of Transportation workers helped with the closure of the breakdown and far right lanes. Salem fire and police personnel also assisted at the scene. Anyone with information regarding the accident is asked to call NHSP Trooper Juan Infante at (603) 223-8985.