NH Man Uninjured After Crushing Crash with Tanker on Route 101

HAMPTON, NH — Even New Hampshire State Police are stunned that a Milford man walked away from a crash on Route 101 this afternoon after his Honda Civic slid on the highway and into, and underneath, a tractor-tanker truck, according to a press alert. Troopers from Troop A were called to the eastbound section of Route 101 in Hampton near Exit 12 for a report of a crash at just after 2 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2017.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the 2004 Honda Civic, being driven by a 34-year-old Milford man, was traveling east in the left lane while he lost control of his vehicle and slid into a 1999 Peterbilt tractor-tanker truck, with Maine plates being driven by a 53-year-old man from Somerville, MA, according to state police.

“Both vehicles then slid into the concrete jersey barrier on the left side of the roadway,” according to Sgt. Keith Walker of the NHSP. “As a result, the Honda Civic was pinned almost entirely underneath the tanker and against the concrete jersey barrier.”

Walker noted in the press statement that, “somehow,” the driver of the Honda was not injured in the collision and was able to climb out of his vehicle through the passenger window and then, underneath the tanker. The driver of the tanker suffered minor injuries and was transported to Exeter Hospital.

“There were no other vehicles involved in this accident,” Walker stated. “The tanker was empty at the time of this collision and is used for non-hazardous materials. All aspects of this accident are under investigation. However, it appears that excessive speed for the existing weather conditions may be a contributing factor. No charges have been filed at this time.”

The left lane of Route 101 was closed for more than an hour.

The New Hampshire State Police were assisted at the scene by members of the Hampton Fire Department, The New Hampshire State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit, The New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

This accident remains under investigation by Trooper Harrison Walters. Anyone with information pertaining to this accident is asked to call Trooper Walters/NH State Police/Troop A at 603-223-8490.