Westford Driver Recovering After Flying Ice Smashes Car

UPDATED -- 11:00 a.m.

New Hampshire State Police have located the driver of a tractor trailer that allegedly had a huge chunk of ice fly off its roof and smash into a car driven by a Westford man.

Stanley Raczelowski, 64, of Westford was seriously injured with face and neck injuries. Police said he was traveling on Route 31 near the Mason/Greenville line in New Hampshire when he passed the truck headed in the opposite direction. A chunk of ice flew off the trailer's roof and smashed through his windshield, police said.

State trooper Aaron Eder-Linel said the truck driver didn't realize the ice flew off and kept driving.

The driver, whose name was not immediately identified, could be charged under "Jessica's law," which was passed in 2002. Police said they will release more information this afternoon.

The law was named after New Hampshire resident Jessica Smith, who was killed in a crash that started when a huge piece of ice flew off a tractor trailer and hit another vehicle.

The law requires all New Hampshire drivers to clear snow and ice off their vehicles. It is punishable by a fine of up to $1,200.

UPDATED -- 9:00 a.m.

The condition of Westford man who was seriously injured when a huge piece of ice flew off a passing truck and smashed his car improved Friday.

Stanley Raczelowski had his condition upgraded to fair while being treated at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. His car was hit while he was traveling in New Hampshire.

INITIAL REPORT-- THURSDAY 10:00 p.m.

A Westford man was seriously injured Thursday morning when a huge sheet of ice flew off a passing truck and smashed his car on a New Hampshire road, according to multiple media reports.

The New Hampshire Union Leader reported Stanley Raczelowski of Westford, was traveling northbound on Route 31 near the Mason/Greenville line in New Hampshire when he passed a tractor trailer. A "extremely large" piece of ice flew off the trailer and smashed his windshield, the newspaper reported.

Raczelowski was being treated at UMass Medical Center in Worcester for face and neck injuries.