Interstate 95 Construction Zone Crash

HAMPTON FALLS, New Hampshire – On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at approximately 9:32 p.m., Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police Troop A Barracks responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 95 North in the town of Hampton Falls, NH, in the vicinity of mile marker 2.4. The crash was reported to have occurred within a moving lane closure construction zone, where crews were working to paint new lane lines on the interstate. This lane closure included preemptive warning signs, four construction trucks with mounted crash attenuators, two marked police cruisers and a construction paint truck. All vehicles in the cone package had their emergency lights illuminated.

Upon arrival on scene, it was determined that a 2021 Mercedes SUV was traveling northbound on Interstate 95, when it collided with the rear of the line painting truck. The force of the impact caused the SUV to roll onto its roof in the middle of the Interstate and left two occupants entrapped within the vehicle. The driver of the SUV was identified as Donald Mackinnon, age 81, of Newmarket, NH. Fire personnel worked to extricate Mackinnon and his passenger, who were both transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Fortunately, no construction personnel working on the paint truck at the time of the crash were injured. Three lanes of Interstate 95 North were shut down for approximately 2 hours to facilitate the removal of the vehicles.

Troop A was assisted on scene by Hampton Falls Fire Department, Hampton EMS, Seabrook Fire Department, Exeter ALS, Hampton Falls Police Department, Newfields Police Department, New Hampshire Department of Transportation, National Wrecker Service, and Pat’s Towing Service. 

All aspects of this crash remain under investigation, but fatigue is believed to have been a factor. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Trooper Steven Galvin at Steven.M.Galvin@dos.nh.gov or (603) 223-4381.

During the busy summer construction season and all year round, New Hampshire State Police urges all drivers to remain vigilant on the roads, take a break if you are feeling tired, and move over for any emergency lights.