Dover, NH (March 6, 2026) – Two people were taken to the hospital after a crash on Friday morning, March 6, on Route 16 near Exit 7 in Dover.
Emergency units responded shortly after 9:30 a.m. to the northbound side of the highway after reports that a pickup truck had collided with a road maintenance vehicle. Investigators said a 2026 Nissan Frontier struck the rear of a 2026 International plow truck that was working along the left breakdown lane.
Authorities reported the pickup became wedged underneath the back of the plow truck after the impact. The driver of the pickup, a 52-year-old man from Dover, was trapped in the vehicle until crews freed him.
Officials said the pickup driver was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The plow truck driver, a 32-year-old man from New Durham, was also taken to a hospital for a precautionary evaluation.
The crash led to the closure of both northbound lanes of Route 16 for about an hour. Traffic was diverted into the right breakdown lane until the damaged vehicles were removed.
The crash remains under investigation. Our thoughts are with those injured as they recover.
Crash Risks When Vehicles Approach Road Maintenance Equipment
Main travel routes like Route 16 often remain active while road maintenance work takes place along shoulders or breakdown lanes. Plow trucks and other maintenance vehicles may move slowly while performing work near traffic lanes.
Drivers approaching these vehicles may experience reduced reaction time, especially at highway speeds. Large equipment can also limit the visibility of brake lights or warning signals if a driver is following too closely.
Rear-end crashes with maintenance vehicles can occur when drivers fail to notice the equipment soon enough to slow down or move to another lane. Traffic speed, road conditions, and driver attention can all influence how these incidents happen on busy highways where maintenance crews are present.
