Update (May 12, 2025): Authorities have identified the pedestrian killed in this accident as Zachary Shepard, 34, of Newport. The truck driver has been charged with negligent homicide and second-degree assault.
Newport, NH — May 7, 2025, a pedestrian was killed in a dump truck accident at about 12:40 p.m. at Sunapee Street/State Route 103.
Authorities said a dump truck hit a pedestrian near the intersection with Central Street.
The pedestrian, a man whose name has not been made public, died after being transported to a local hospital, according to authorities.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a pedestrian is hit by a dump truck in broad daylight, especially near a major intersection, one of the first questions that comes to my mind is whether the driver saw the pedestrian at all, and if not, why.
Commercial vehicles like dump trucks have large blind spots, but that doesn’t excuse a failure to notice someone in or near a crosswalk. Drivers are trained to account for these limitations. If they fail to do so, that may indicate a lapse in training, attention or even basic caution. The responsibility to check mirrors, slow down at intersections and anticipate pedestrian movement isn’t optional; it’s the law.
One thing that often doesn’t get enough attention in pedestrian-versus-truck crashes is the role of visibility. Was the pedestrian in a clearly marked crossing? Were there visual obstructions or signage issues? Did the truck’s size or the position of the cab affect the driver’s ability to see someone stepping into the street? These are all critical details that need to be answered through a thorough investigation.
In cases like this, I also look at how the truck was being operated. Was the driver turning, backing up or rolling through an intersection? Those maneuvers tend to carry the highest risk for pedestrians, and they require extra caution from a commercial driver. A good investigation will review dashcam footage if it’s available, gather witness statements and examine any nearby surveillance video to piece together exactly what happened.
Bottom line: when a professional driver is behind the wheel of a vehicle that can weigh up to 30 times more than the average person, the legal obligation to avoid harm is high. If the driver didn’t meet that obligation here, then they, and potentially their employer, may be legally responsible. But we won’t know that until someone looks beyond the crash scene and answers the hard questions.
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