Fiancee of man killed in deadly Salem, NH crash speaks out

SALEM, N.H. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A 26-year-old man faced a judge Monday for a deadly car crash that killed a New Hampshire man who was about to get married. His heartbroken fiancee saw the deadly crash happen right before her eyes.

Melinda Nutter and her fiancee Phillip Carter had been together for a decade. They were picking up a new and safer car at a car dealership in Salem, N.H. last Tuesday when tragedy struck.

"I picked the keys up from the salesman's desk and I, I just heard an incredibly loud noise and I looked out their front door and i just saw Phil lying on the ground," Melinda said.

Salem police say 26-year-old Michael Gomez was speeding on Route 28 when he hit Phillip, who was pulling out of the dealership after dropping off Melinda.

Their cars were a mangled mess.

Phillip's seatbelt sheared off him in the collision.

Melinda says she and an ER doctor who stopped to help instantly ran to Phillip's side.

"I gave him mouth to mouth and we got him back," Melinda said. "I just never thought that he wasn't going to be ok."

Then they had what would be their final conversation before Phillip was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital and pronounced dead from internal injuries.

"His last words to me were, 'I love you too.'"

Police say Gomez was going 50-60 miles per hour. The speed limit is 30 miles per hour.

And staff at the Yang Ming restaurant about a half mile from the crash told police they served Gomez two Mai Tais prior to the fatal collision.

Gomez was held on $100,000 cash bail in Salem District Court, and is charged with negligent homicide.

Prosecutors said the Lowell native has lengthy criminal records in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and in his native Massachusetts.

Melinda Nutter said she's just trying to understand why and how this could have happened.

"It's honestly just disgusting. It's everything that's unbelievable."

Melinda said neither she nor Phillip had life insurance, so a special trust has been set up in his name.

Donations can be made to: Phillip J. Carter Trust, c/o Service Credit Union, Salem, N.H. The account number is  #27551342.

Also, a special remembrance service is being planned for Philip next week. It will take place Thursday July 2, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the  Castleton Banquet and Conference Center, 92 Indian Rock Rd. in Windham, N.H.

Cox Media Group