State Police Cruiser Struck on I-93 in Thornton

Thornton, New Hampshire – On Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 9:30 AM, Trooper Shawn Slaney of New Hampshire State Police Troop F and Officer Mark Smoker of the Thornton Police Department were assisting a vehicle that had lost control in the storm and had gone off the left side off the road on I-93 North in Thornton. Trooper Slaney and Officer Smoker had their emergency lights activated, a flare package set up and the left lane closed, in order to facilitate the removal of the car.

A 2008 Honda Civic, driven by Benjamin Amico, Age: 24, Saugus, MA. drove through the flare package. When Amico saw the State Police cruiser, he attempted to avoid crashing by moving into the travel lane. Amico was unable to safely perform this maneuver and sideswiped the cruiser before crashing into a guardrail.

Trooper Slaney and Officer Smoker were outside of their cruisers at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported. Amico was cited for Negligent Driving.

Drivers are reminded to reduce their speed during snowstorms, to give ample room to the vehicles in front of them, to drive with caution, and to move over for emergency vehicles.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact Sergeant Nathan Hamilton at Nathan.B.Hamilton@dos.nh.gov.