HAMPTON — The New Hampshire State Police is investigating a multi-vehicle crash involving two tractor-trailers within the open road tolling lanes on Interstate 95.
At 6:42 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, State Police dispatch received a report of a multi-vehicle crash on I-95 in Hampton.
Initial reports stated that the crash involved five vehicles, two of which were tractor-trailers.
The preliminary investigation determined that the driver of a white car stopped within the open toll lanes.
Shortly after, the driver of the white car accelerated and drove off.
This caused the driver of a 2024 Land Rover, identified as Martin Smith, 57, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, to brake abruptly.
The Land Rover was then struck by a 2013 Chevy Express van, driven by Kedwin Mendez, 23, of Nashua.
In addition, a 2017 Mercedes Sprinter, driven by George Gould, 62, of Port Orange, Florida, then crashed into the back of the Chevy Express van.
As these three vehicles collided, the drivers of two tractor-trailers – a 2024 Freightliner operated by James Noble, 59, of Kensington, and a 2022 Kenworth operated by Moris Tejada Portillo, 26, of Lynn, Massachusetts – both made evasive maneuvers to avoid the initial crash and struck each other, disabling both vehicles.
Noble and his passenger were transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
No one else was hurt.
The northbound toll lanes were closed for approximately two hours while the vehicles were being removed from the scene.
Troopers were assisted on scene by members of Hampton Fire Rescue, North Hampton Fire & Rescue, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
Investigators are interested in speaking with the driver of the white car that reportedly stopped prior to the sequence of crashes.
