NEWFIELDS - Police believe driver inattention sent three people to the hospital following a head-on collision along Route 108 Wednesday morning.

Police, firefighters and emergency personnel were called at 9:57 a.m. after a Nissan Maxima, driven by Christine Scholz, 26, of Exeter, reportedly crossed the centerline and struck a Toyota Camry, driven by Raymond Sharp, 58, of Stratham, near the entrance of the cemetery, according to Police Chief Art Reed.

Based on witnesses, Reed said he believes the Maxima was headed south while the Camry was headed north.

"Her car drifted over the double line and they hit head-on," Reed said, adding it is still unclear what caused the car to drift.

After firefighters used hydraulic cutting tools to free Sharp's passenger - Dennis Ball, 62, of Stratham, from the Camry, Reed said crews from Newmarket Ambulance tooks all three people to Exeter Hospital.

Reed said he believes Scholz, who wore her seatbelt, appeared to have more serious injuries than the two men. He added Sharp and Ball, who may have hit their heads against the windshield, were not wearing seatbelts.

As the injuries appeared to be non-life threatening, Reed believes Sharp and Ball could be released from the hospital before Scholz, but he has not heard an update about their status.

Reed said he'll continue to investigate what led to the crash.
jquinn@newstote.com