Slick Roads Cause Many Crashes, One Fatal Accident on NH Highways

CONCORD, NH — State officials are warning Granite State drivers after the black ice commuting debacle this morning that they should always plan ahead and use caution during weather events where the roads are slippery. In other words, ignore those SUV commercials plowing through the ice and snow on closed tracks with professional drivers – it’s not reality and that’s not how to get to where you’re going carefully.

Between the evening of Nov. 20, and morning of Nov. 21, 2016, numerous accidents – including one fatal crash – were reported all around the state after less than an inch of snow blanketed most of New Hampshire causing slick road conditions on a number of highways.

The crashes began last night, according to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation as well as law enforcement agencies, which reported accidents on I-89 in Warner, Route 111 in Hampstead, Route 17 in Litchfield, as well as a crash in Derry.

This morning, beginning around 1 a.m., crashes were reported on I-93 in Windham, in Dover on the Spaulding Turnpike, Route 101 in Brentwood, Route 111 in Atkinson, and Newington on Route 16 near the Sullivan bridge.

“Use caution as you head out this morning, multiple accidents being reported,” the Rockingham Sheriff’s Office posted on Twitter. About an later, the NH DOT and law enforcement agencies began issuing travel advisory alerts.

“Winter driving conditions this morning,” the NH DOT stated on Twitter. “Possible black ice. Crews are out treating. Slow down and drive carefully!”

NorthEast Fire Alerts reported “multiple vehicles” fully involved on Basin Street in Concord near Patsy’s Auto Body at around 6 a.m. Numerous crashes were also reported in the area of the I-89 and I-93 interchange – which closed the highway for a short time around 7:30 a.m. – as well as other parts of I-93 in and around the capital city, in both directions, due to the icy conditions.

A fatal crash was also reported on Route 4 in the area of the Lee-Durham line which shut down the highway.

Another crash later this morning on the Spaulding Turnpike shut down the road for a few hours this morning.

The state of New Hampshire’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Twitter account issued a warning that snow showers will continue in the northern part of the state through Tuesday morning.

Photo courtesy of Professional Firefighters of Concord, NH - Local 1045.