By Ken Johnson, Staff Writer

Sadly, over the winter break two Wildcats passed away in separate car accidents.

Riley Leavitt, 21 of Dover, who was taking classes at the Thompson School passed away on the evening of Dec. 26, 2014, when the pickup truck he was driving struck a utility pole on Tolend Road in Barrington and rolled over.

Foster’s Daily Democrat reported that the vehicle was exceeding the posted speed limit when Leavitt lost control. Foster’s also reported that Leavitt died on impact and that Leavitt and a passenger were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. A police investigation still is ongoing.

Brian Colbert, 23 of Hampstead, New Hampshire who graduated from UNH in December 2014 with a B.S. in Communications passed away on Dec. 28, 2014, after injuries resulting from a single car accident in Candia.

According to New England Cable News, the vehicle was traveling westbound on Route 101 and Colbert, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and died on the scene.

Colbert had also been employed at Durham House of Pizza. The New Hamphire Union Leader reported that the accident is under investigation.