HAMPTON — The driver in a Wednesday morning crash on Ocean Boulevard has died.

Police said John Accettullo, 64, of Hampton was unresponsive when crews arrived on the scene of the single-car crash at about 9:46 a.m. A Hampton police officer began CPR on the driver in an attempt to resuscitate him, according to information provided by the department Wednesday afternoon.

Assistant fire chief Jameson Ayotte said it took about 25 minutes to extricate Accettullo from the 2012 Kia Forte using cutters and the Jaws of Life rescue tool. Accettullo was then transported to Exeter Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said Accettullo was alone in the car when it crashed into a guardrail just south of the Marine Memorial Statue.

Their initial investigation showed no skid marks in the roadway and heavy front-end damage to the vehicle and the guardrail.

They have not ruled out a medical emergency as a likely cause of the accident.


An earlier story follows:


HAMPTON — One person was transported to Exeter Hospital with serious injuries after a single-car crash on Ocean Boulevard this morning.

Deputy Fire Chief Jameson Ayotte said it took about 25 minutes for fire crews to extricate the driver using cutters and the Jaws of Life rescue tool.

The male driver of the late-model Kia struck a guardrail head-on just across from the Ashworth Hotel on Ocean Boulevard northbound, Ayotte said.

Fire crews received the call at 9:46 a.m. and had the man out of the vehicle by 10:11 a.m.

Ayotte did not release the name of the male victim, but said he believes he is a local resident and appeared to be about retirement age.

Ayotte said the man was “very seriously injured” in the accident, but he did not have more details.

There were no passengers in the vehicle.

Ayotte said the accident is under investigation by Hampton Police, who also responded to the scene.