Laconia Trucker Cited After Interstate 93 Tractor-Trailer Crash Near Exit 17 In Canterbury

CONCORD, NH — A tractor-trailer crash created some commuter headaches on Interstate 93 south in Canterbury on Friday morning.

Around 3:45 a.m., New Hampshire State Police were sent to the southbound side of the highway, before Exit 17, for a crash between two tractor-trailer units. When troopers arrived, they found a truck off an embankment and one with a blown-out tire on the side of the highway.

Amber Lagace, the public information officer for state police, said Daniel T. Gagne, 43, of Laconia, was driving a 2016 Kenworth truck, hauling a load of bark. He was accused of rear-ending a bobtail tractor unit, being driven by Robert P. Morin Jr., 66, of Weare.

“After Gagne’s vehicle struck Morin’s,” Lagace said, “Gagne’s vehicle went off the right side of the roadway, coming to final rest on an embankment in the wood line. Morin was able to bring his vehicle to a stop in the right breakdown lane.”

Lagace said the crash was “a direct result of driver inattention,” and Gagne was cited for following too closely. Neither driver was injured during the crash.

It is unknown how long it took to investigate the incident and clear the trucks from the scene. But according to commuters, it was more than five hours.

Troopers were assisted by the Troop G unit, Canterbury fire and Penacook rescue teams, and Duval’s and Rusty’s towing.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information was asked to contact Trooper Tyler Griffin at 603-223-4381 or Tyler.L.Griffin@dos.nh.gov.

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