BOW — A vehicle that had been reported for erratic driving crashed and caught fire on Interstate 93 Northbound near mile marker 32.2 on Saturday at about 2:57 p.m., prompting the closure of both directions of the highway as ammunition exploded inside the burning wreckage.
According to State Police Dispatch, the vehicle initially struck the center median Jersey Barrier, then veered across all northbound lanes and hit another car before careening into the woods, where it hit several trees and ignited.
All three occupants of the burning vehicle managed to escape, and one was hospitalized with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
The person in the other vehicle involved was unharmed.
As the vehicle fire grew and ammunition began to detonate, authorities shut down all northbound lanes and, for a time, the southbound lanes of Interstate 93.
Firefighters arrived quickly and were able to contain the blaze, allowing the southbound lanes and the high-speed northbound lane to reopen.
However, the other northbound lanes remained closed for an extended period for investigation and cleanup.
The identities of the vehicle’s occupants have not been released as the investigation is ongoing.
One occupant was taken into custody on several outstanding warrants, and further charges are being considered based on the investigation’s findings.
State Police have called for assistance from the public, encouraging anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant dashcam footage to come forward.
Witnesses and individuals with information are urged to contact Trooper Joshua Farmer at 603-227-0038.
Multiple Good Samaritans who stopped to help at the scene have been acknowledged for their assistance.
