QUEEN, Manchester County, N.H., Sept. 24, 2026 — A crash on I-393 westbound left one driver trapped and unconscious Wednesday morning, September 23, according to a traffic alert issued after the collision. The wreck was reported around 8:32 a.m. just past the East Side Drive exit in Concord, N.H.
The alert described one person as trapped inside a vehicle and unresponsive at the scene. No other injuries or vehicles were confirmed in the alert, and the number of vehicles involved has not been released.
Emergency crews responded to free the trapped driver, though details on extrication time and the person's condition afterward were not included in the alert. The person's age, gender, and identity have not been released.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. It is not yet known whether road conditions, speed, or another factor contributed, and no additional information has been made public.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
Why Highway Merge Points Have Some of the Worst Crash Damage
Crashes near highway exits and merge lanes turn out worse than crashes on an open straightaway because vehicles change speed and lane position at the same time, so the gap between a slowing car and one still at highway speed can close fast. That closing speed, not just raw velocity, is what determines how hard two vehicles hit.
Weight and structure impact on the crash outcome. A vehicle's front and rear ends are built with crush zones designed to absorb impact by folding in a controlled way. The passenger compartment is built to resist folding. When a crash happens at an odd angle, such as a merging vehicle clipped from the side, the impact can land outside those reinforced zones, and the safety systems built into the car do less of the job they were designed for.
Seatbelts and airbags reduce harm, but they work best in the type of straight-on impact they were engineered around. A glancing hit near a lane change or exit ramp is harder to predict, which is part of why these locations produce a steady share of serious wrecks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2,442,581 people were injured in traffic crashes in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do weather and road conditions affect crash risk?
Wet, icy, or poorly lit roads increase stopping distances and reduce visibility, making it harder for drivers to react to sudden slowdowns, especially near exits and merge points.
What should someone do right after a car accident?
Move to a safe area if possible, call 911, and avoid moving anyone who may be seriously injured until emergency responders arrive. Exchange information with other drivers if you're able.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share of crashes cluster around intersections, on-ramps, and merge areas, where vehicles are changing speed or lane position and have less time to react to each other.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Queen, NH
If you're involved in a crash near Queen, NH, start by checking yourself and any passengers for injuries and calling 911 right away. Even if you feel fine, some injuries, like concussions or internal bruising, don't show symptoms immediately, so a medical evaluation afterward is worth doing.
Once everyone is safe, document the scene if you can, noting vehicle positions, damage, and any road conditions that may have played a role. File a report with local police and keep a copy for your records. Lean on family, friends, or local resources in the days after. A crash is disorienting, and giving yourself time to recover, physically and otherwise, matters.
