2 injured in 3-car crash, police investigating road rage

MEREDITH — Police are investigating a potential road-rage incident on Friday, which may have led to a three-car crash.

Meredith Police and Fire departments responded to an accident on Route 25, just east of Leavitt Park Road, at 6:16 p.m. on Nov. 28. The initial investigation found that a 2019 Ford Super Duty, driven by a 47-year-old Conway resident, was traveling west on Route 25 when the vehicle, for reasons unknown, crossed the center line during a turn.

The vehicle collided with a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, operated by a 32-year-old Moultonborough resident, with a child passenger. The truck then continued across the lane, and crashed into a 2020 Toyota Tundra, driven by a 33-year-old Sandwich resident.

Sgt. William Goulet said a witness driving behind the Ford truck reported a potential road rage scenario, and the vehicle was driving erratically.

“We are trying to determine if there was any legitimacy to this,” Goulet said. “This was someone independently driving behind the truck.”

Goulet said on Monday no charges have been filed in the incident.

The Ford's driver was taken by Stewart's Ambulance to Concord Hospital-Laconia for serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. The driver of the Toyota received minor injuries, but was not taken the hospital. Both occupants of the Mitsubishi were uninjured.

Goulet said the occupants of the vehicles traveling east got out of their cars themselves, but the westbound driver was extracted from the vehicle as a precaution. Three of the four people involved in the accident were wearing seatbelts.

Police don't think weather contributed to the accident, but staff of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation were at the scene, treating the roads due to a snow squall that happened after first responders arrived at the accident scene. The road was closed from Sorenson Road to Leavitt Park, with detours through Route 25B into Center Harbor. Center Harbor police assisted in directing traffic.

Police had to wait until vehicles were towed, and for the road to be treated, before it reopened after about two hours.

Goulet said the accident resulted in significant damage to all three vehicles, and it was fortunate injuries were not worse. The vehicles were removed from the scene by Stanford Towing & Recovery and Harper’s Towing.

The crash is being investigated by Meredith police, and Goulet said they are looking to interview anyone who may have information or seen the accident.

“We urge anyone who witnessed this to give us a call,” Goulet said.

Anyone with information should call the Meredith Police Department at 603-279-4561.