Motor Vehicle Crash Results in Exit Ramp Closure

ROCHESTER, New Hampshire - On Thursday, March 21, 2024, at approximately 5:25 a.m., Troopers assigned to the New Hampshire State Police Troop A Barracks responded to Route 16 South (Spaulding Turnpike) in the vicinity of Exit 15, in the City of Rochester, New Hampshire for a report of a single motor vehicle crash in which an occupant had been ejected from the vehicle. At the time of this crash the greater Rochester area was experiencing a sudden snow squall. 

Preliminary investigation at the scene of the crash revealed that a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Rachel Maschino, age 44, of Milton Mills, NH had been traveling South approaching Exit 15 when she came upon slower moving traffic due to the weather and roadway conditions. She took evasive actions to avoid a collision, which lead to her losing control of her vehicle and striking a guardrail along the Exit 15 off ramp. After this initial impact, the vehicle rolled, and the operator was ejected from the pickup truck.  As a result of the crash, the operator sustained serious life-threatening injuries and was transported from the scene to an area hospital. With her at the time was a 25-year-old passenger, Timothy Yeaton also of Milton Mills who sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was also transported to an area hospital.

Due to this crash, the Exit 15 southbound off ramp was closed for several hours to allow for treatment of the injured by emergency personnel and investigation of the crash scene by Troopers. 

Multiple agencies assisted at the scene of the crash to include the Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police Department, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, and Bob’s Automotive & Wrecker Service. 

All aspects of this crash remain under further investigation by Trooper Daniel Bourque of New Hampshire State Police Troop A Barracks. Anyone with information pertaining to this crash is asked to contact Trooper Bourque at Daniel.J.Bourque@dos.nh.gov.