New Hope councilwoman killed. What we know about fatal crash in Buckingham

Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·2 min read
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The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and Buckingham police are investigating a fatal crash Monday in Buckingham that killed longtime New Hope councilwoman, Laurie McHugh.

Buckingham police responded to a call just after 1 p.m. for a two-vehicle accident on Durham Road (state Route 413) near Upper Mountain Road involving a 2016 Audi and a tractor-trailer, according to a police news release Tuesday.

New Hope Council Vice President Laurie McHugh was killed in a car accident on Monday August 21, 2023
New Hope Council Vice President Laurie McHugh was killed in a car accident on Monday August 21, 2023

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The Audi sustained heavy front-end damage and its driver was taken to St. Mary Medical Center with multiple injuries and later died, police said.

The tractor-trailer driver was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries and was treated and released, police said.

The late Laurie McHugh is seen here drumming during a dragon boat festival last month in Mays Landing New Jersey. McHugh was the co-founder of the Bucks County Dragon Boats Association. Here she is drumming, which is the "pulse" of the boat that guides strategy during a race.
The late Laurie McHugh is seen here drumming during a dragon boat festival last month in Mays Landing New Jersey. McHugh was the co-founder of the Bucks County Dragon Boats Association. Here she is drumming, which is the "pulse" of the boat that guides strategy during a race.

Who is Laurie McHugh?

Buckingham police did not release the names of either driver, but the Bucks County Coroner’s Office confirmed McHugh died in the accident. An autopsy is pending.

New Hope officials released a statement Tuesday afternoon expressing "shock and profound sadness" at the news of McHugh's death.

"During the pandemic Laurie took the lead in helping our restaurants and boutiques find innovative ways of operating during COVID restrictions and ensuring the residents and visitors knew that New Hope was open for 'contactless' business," the statement said.

A Democrat, McHugh served on council since 2016 and previously worked in international real estate investment. Earlier this year, the 58-year-old opened the first authorized "craft cannabis dispensary" in neighboring Lambertville New Jersey. She was listed as the a co-founder and CEO of the Union Chill Cannabis Company.

"Laurie's vision for this women-owned business centered on community integrity, social responsibility and economic success," the statement said.

McHugh was also a co-founder of the Bucks County Dragon Boat Association, an internationally competitive organization and helped operate a company that offered dragon boat events.

Danielle Arias, a longtime member of the Bucks County Dragon Boat Association described McHugh as a friend, mentor and motivator “whose encouragement was infectious.”

“She was someone who left an unforgettable mark on the world that surrounded her,” Arias said. “She treated every person she encountered as  part of her extended family. Her presence had the remarkable ability to uplift spirits, and her actions spoke volumes about the kindness she possessed.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Buckingham police, DA investigating accident that killed Laurie McHugh