On the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 23, the community was saddened to hear that a Londonderry 17-year-old, Lillianna Cawthron, was involved in a single-car crash along the southbound lane of Route 93.
Every effort was made to save the young girl after the crash, but sadly, Cawthron passed from injuries sustained in the crash.
According to a press release from the N.H. State Police, at 2:47 p.m. Aug. 23, State Troopers were dispatched to the crash near mile maker 14 on I-93 southbound. Troopers arrived and determined a gray 2008 Mercury Milan was traveling southbound when it went off the interstate to the right-hand side and struck several trees.
At that point, the interstate was completely shut down for a brief period of time while members of the Londonderry Fire Department (LFD) worked to extricate the driver from the vehicle.
Cawthron was transported to Elliott Hospital in Manchester with life-threatening injuries where she ultimately succumbed to the injuries at the hospital.
The State Police was assisted at the scene by members of the Londonderry Police Department, Londonderry Fire Department and the NH Department of Transportation. Traffic was limited to two travel lanes for approximately four hours while the investigation was conducted and the vehicle was removed from the scene.
According to an Incident Report by the LFD, “Companies worked to stabilize the vehicle and gain access to the victim. Due to the patient’s condition and length of extrication, Boston MedFlight was requested to land at the scene. The southbound lane of the highway was closed to allow apparatus to gain access to the scene and allow the helicopter to land. Cawthron was extricated from the vehicle at 3:23 p.m. and was transported by ground to Elliot Hospital by Derry Medic One. The Boston Medflight Helicopter was canceled before arrival on the highway.”
Shortly after the news was reported on social media, the Viviana Irene Leon Memorial Fund announced the foundation would be helping the family with the expenses associated with the tragedy. The statement read, “We learned of the tragic passing of Lilliana the other day, multiple people reached out the foundation. With communication with Londonderry PD and school administration we connected with the family. The Viviana Leon Memorial board has voted to cover Liliana’s funeral expenses a small gesture that we hope can be helpful to her family.”
There was also a go-fund-me page set up for the family, encouraging residents to donate. www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-lilliana-cawthorne
Lillianna was expected to graduate high school in January and her obituary stated that following a cremation, services will be held privately for the family.
It also stated, “We are devastated as a family that such a creative, graceful, sassy soul, that loved her family as well as any animals she came in contact with has left this earth so soon. As a fiery feisty curly redhead.
Lillianna was also a truly athletic individual, who had the most beautiful smile, she was so full of light and positivity, and she left her mark anywhere she went, she just sparkled, all the time.
Lillianna was born on June 15, 2007, in Manchester, the daughter of Rachael Healey and Keith Cawthron. She has two sisters, Caleigh and Alyssa Cawthron, as well as many loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.