Car stopping in open toll lane leads to 5-vehicle crash involving 2 tractor trailers

Scene of Thursday's five-vehicle crash at Hampton open toll lanes (NHSP photo)

HAMPTON - New Hampshire State Police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash that involved two tractor-trailers and three other vehicles within the open road tolling lanes on Interstate 95 on Thursday.

The crash occurred around 6:40 a.m. on I-95 in Hampton.

The preliminary investigation determined that the driver of a white car stopped within the open toll lanes before its driver drove off, causing the driver of a 2024 Land Rover, identified as Martin Smith, 57, of Newburyport, Mass., to brake abruptly, according to a Dept. of Safety press release. The Land Rover was then struck by a 2013 Chevy Express van, driven by Kedwin Mendez, 23, of Nashua. A 2017 Mercedes Sprinter, driven by George Gould, 62, of Port Orange, Fla., 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, Mass. - 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 about two hours while the vehicles were being removed from the scene.

Investigators are interested in speaking with the driver of the white car that reportedly stopped prior to the crashes. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Sean Kennedy at 603-223-4381 or Sean.K.Kennedy@dos.nh.gov.