A Bedford High School junior died Sunday evening after leaping from a moving vehicle on Wallace Road, according to Bedford police. The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. near Stagecoach and Candy Lane. The teen was rushed to a local hospital but could not be saved.
The tragedy struck barely 24 hours after the school’s graduation ceremony, casting a shadow over the first day of final exams.
School responds with counseling and compassion
In a letter emailed to families Monday morning, Principal Robert Josokos confirmed the loss but said few details were yet available. Students learned the news during Advisory, where teachers and counselors were on hand.
Superintendent Michael Fournier described a quiet, heavy atmosphere in the halls. “Many students who knew him have been excused from today’s finals,” he said. “Right now, their well-being is more important than any test.”
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Counselors will remain on campus all week—and will meet virtually with any student who stays home. The district also invited Misty, Bedford’s certified therapy dog, to visit classrooms Tuesday, a practice first adopted after a 2022 bus crash to help students open up about grief.
A growing roadside memorial
By Monday afternoon, classmates had gathered along Wallace Road, layering flowers, photos, and hand-written notes under a small maple tree. One senior taped a track-and-field jersey to the trunk with the message: “Run free, brother.”
Police seek witnesses
Investigators closed a short stretch of Wallace Road for roughly an hour Sunday night. Anyone who saw the grey sedan—or the moments leading up to the teen’s exit—is urged to call Bedford police at 603-472-5113.
If you or someone you know needs help
While police have released no information suggesting intent, sudden deaths can trigger complex emotions in peers. Mental-health professionals recommend that parents:
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Check in frequently and listen without judgment.
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Maintain routines to provide a sense of stability.
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Share coping strategies like journaling or physical activity.
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Free, 24/7 support is available by calling 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or texting HOME to 741-741.
Did you know? New Hampshire became the first state in New England to pass a “Therapy Dogs in Schools” bill back in 2021. Districts that implement the program report a 38 % drop in counseling wait times during crisis weeks.
The student’s family has requested privacy as they grieve. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
