ROCHESTER — A multi-vehicle crash involving a flatbed wrecker and two passenger cars on Monday led to the closure of Route 16, causing significant traffic delays in Rochester.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. near mile marker 15.6 on the Spaulding Turnpike, when a 2022 Freightliner wrecker operated by Dustin Kay, 41, of Dover, lost control and crashed into the center median guardrail, New Hampshire State Police said.
The wrecker, which veered off the left shoulder of the southbound lanes, traveled across the northbound lanes and came to rest in a wooded area.
Following the initial crash, a secondary collision occurred on the southbound side between a 2015 Ford Edge driven by Georgia Miller, 54, of Dover, and a 2022 Ford Edge operated by Charlotte Cody, 74, of Rochester.
The chain-reaction accident prompted authorities to shut down the right travel lane of Route 16 North and all lanes of Route 16 South to provide emergency medical treatment and to clear the scene.
Kay was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Miller suffered minor injuries, while Cody and an additional passenger in her vehicle were uninjured.
Traffic on Route 16 North was disrupted for about two hours, while southbound lanes were closed for approximately 45 minutes, with one lane remaining shut for an additional hour for guardrail repairs.
Multiple agencies, including the Rochester Fire Department, Frisbie Memorial Hospital EMS, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, and several towing companies, assisted at the scene.
Kay has been charged with negligent driving and other motor vehicle violations.
The crashes remain under investigation by Trooper Daniel Bourque and Trooper John Harris.
Authorities are seeking information from the public and have provided contact emails for the investigating troopers.
