EXETER, Manchester County, N.H., Oct. 8, 2026 — Two pedestrians were seriously injured Wednesday afternoon, October 7, after a car struck them on Exeter Road in Exeter, New Hampshire. Both were taken to nearby hospitals, according to police.
The crash happened around noon, police said. Few other details have been released, including what led up to the collision.
The conditions of the two pedestrians have not been made public. It remains unclear whether any charges are expected.
Exeter police have not said whether the crash remains under investigation or whether it has been closed out. Anyone with additional information has not yet been asked to come forward, based on what has been released so far.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
What Makes Pedestrian Crashes So Severe
A pedestrian has no frame, no airbag, and no crumple zone standing between them and a car's bumper. The difference in weight between a person and even a small sedan is enormous, so nearly all of the energy in a collision transfers into the pedestrian.
Speed changes the outcome more than almost any other factor. A vehicle traveling at a lower speed gives a driver more time to brake and reduces the force of impact if a crash still happens. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 84 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2023, where vehicles and people on foot regularly share close space at varying speeds.
Modern cars carry safety features like automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection systems, but these tools are designed to reduce the chance of a crash or soften its force, not eliminate the risk entirely. Once a vehicle and a pedestrian meet at any meaningful speed, there is little equipment on either side that changes the physics involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can drivers do to avoid hitting someone on foot?
Slowing down in areas where pedestrians are likely, scanning crosswalks and intersections before moving through them, and avoiding distractions all cut down on reaction time needed to stop safely.
What injuries tend to result from these crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles commonly suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, and internal injuries, with severity generally rising alongside the vehicle's speed at impact.
What usually causes pedestrian crashes?
Common factors include driver distraction, failure to yield at crosswalks, poor visibility, and speeding, though the specific cause of any individual crash is determined by investigators.
Does speed really change survival odds that much?
Yes. Pedestrians struck at lower speeds are far more likely to survive and recover than those struck at higher speeds, since the force delivered in a collision rises sharply as speed increases.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Exeter, NH
If you are involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash, you should call 911 right away so injured people can get medical attention as quickly as possible. Even injuries that seem minor at first can turn out to be more serious, so it's worth getting checked by a medical professional afterward.
If you're able, note what you saw, including where people were standing or walking and anything about the vehicle involved. Exeter police or responding officers will typically want a statement, and that information can help piece together what happened.
Family members of anyone hurt in a crash like this should stay in touch with the hospital and local police for updates, since details are often limited in the hours immediately following an incident.
