CONCORD, Rockingham County, N.H., Sept. 24, 2026 — Three people were hurt on Wednesday morning, September 23, when four vehicles collided on Interstate 393 in Concord, according to New Hampshire State Police. The crash shut down the westbound lanes near Exit 2 for several hours.
The crash happened just before 8:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes, state police said. One driver was seriously injured and became trapped inside his vehicle; a passerby helped free him before emergency crews arrived.
Two people were treated at the scene, state police reported. Concord Fire said three people in total were taken to the hospital, one of them in serious condition. The conditions of the others have not been released.
Traffic was routed off the highway at Exit 2 in East Concord while crews cleared the scene, a State Police spokesperson said. The interstate reopened at 11:53 a.m. The names of those involved have not been released, and the crash remains under investigation.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
Where Multi-Vehicle Highway Pileups Tend to Cluster
Crashes involving several cars at once do not happen evenly across a highway system. They cluster at the same kinds of spots again and again: merge points near on-ramps and exits, lane drops, and stretches where traffic slows suddenly for construction or an earlier incident. Interchanges like Concord's Exit 2 create exactly this pattern, where vehicles entering or leaving the highway cross paths with faster through traffic in a short span of road.
Morning commute hours add another layer. Traffic volume is heavy, drivers are usually moving at highway speed in tight formation, and a single hard brake can set off a chain reaction before following vehicles have time to react. Wet pavement, glare, or a lane restriction can turn a routine slowdown into a pileup within seconds.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, passenger vehicles made up 92 percent of registered vehicles and 89 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2023. That volume of ordinary passenger cars, moving together at close range during peak travel windows, is a large part of why chain-reaction crashes concentrate on interstates rather than on lower-speed local streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Move to a safe spot if possible, check for injuries, and call 911. Exchange information with other drivers and avoid discussing fault at the scene. Photos of the vehicles and surroundings can help later.
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
Interchanges, merge lanes, and areas with sudden speed changes see frequent multi-vehicle crashes, especially during high-traffic commute periods.
What can drivers do to stay safer on highways?
Leaving extra following distance, slowing early for traffic ahead, and staying alert near ramps and merge points all help reduce the chance of a chain-reaction crash.
What injuries are common in multi-vehicle crashes?
Whiplash, broken bones, and head or chest injuries from impact are common. Entrapment can occur when a vehicle is crushed or badly damaged, requiring extrication by emergency crews.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Concord, NH
If you're involved in a highway pileup, stay in your vehicle if it's not safe to exit, and turn on hazard lights if you're able. Let emergency responders assess anyone who may be trapped or seriously hurt before attempting to move. Even if you feel fine, a medical check afterward is worth it, since some injuries from a sudden stop or impact don't show symptoms right away. Once everyone is safe, keep a record of what you observed, including where your vehicle was and what you noticed just before the crash, in case it's needed for the state police investigation or insurance follow-up.
