(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) The Dodge mini-van involved in the fatal crash on Route 101 in Amherst Sunday evening sits in the background as police conduct their on-scene investigation. The crash claimed the life of Holly Wheeler, 49, of Milford, who was driving the other vehicle.

AMHERST — The nearly head-on collision involving a Smart Coupe and a Dodge Caravan Sunday evening on Route 101 in Amherst claimed the life of Holly Wheeler, 49, of Milford, according to police.

Wheeler was pronounced deceased at the scene following attempts by paramedics to administer emergency treatment. She was alone in the car.

The driver of the Caravan, Jason Porter, 53, of Bedford, escaped injury in the crash. A passenger identified by police as a juvenile was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, and was later released.

Amherst police said a preliminary investigation indicates the Smart Coupe was headed west on Route 101 when it crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with the mini-van, which was headed east.

The Smart Coupe — a tiny, two-seat electric vehicle sometimes referred to as a “Smart Car” — was located by first arriving emergency crews on the side of Route 101 near the entrance to the town Transfer Station.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) Crash reconstruction investigators and police work at the scene of Sunday evening's fatal crash on Route 101 in Amherst.

Police said officers, along with Amherst fire and EMS personnel, were dispatched to the scene at about 5 p.m., and upon arrival found the two heavily damaged vehicles surrounded by a large field of debris.

They also encountered an unresponsive woman in the Smart Coupe, and while EMS crews began providing emergency medical care, a scene commander requested the availability of a Dartmouth-Hitchcock Air Rescue Team (DHART) medical helicopter.

A short time later, they canceled the request after it was determined that the driver, later identified as Wheeler, was deceased.

Police then asked that a representative of the Chief Medical Examiner’s office be summoned to the scene.

The scene being near the intersection where Old Manchester and Walnut Hill roads meet Route 101, crews detoured traffic onto those roads when they closed a section of Route 101 for several hours.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) The wreckage of the Smart Coupe vehicle in which a Milford woman was killed Sunday night sits in the background as police conduct an extensive on-scene investigation Sunday night.

The impact sent both vehicles off the road, and they came to rest quite a distance apart. Investigators set up reconstruction equipment around the scene while taking photos and measurements.

Officers from Bedford and Milford, along with state police troopers, responded to the scene to assist Amherst crews with traffic control.

Volunteers from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and representatives of the state Department of Transportation also provided assistance at the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Amherst police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or has additional information, to contact Capt. Anthony Ciampoli at 673-4900.

Telegraph contributor Jeffrey Hastings provided material for this story.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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