PELHAM, Hillsborough County, N.H., Oct. 25, 2026 — Two men were hospitalized after a head-on crash on Saturday night, October 24, on Mammoth Road in Pelham, New Hampshire. A driver crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a pickup truck head-on before continuing to accelerate into it.
A 42-year-old Chelmsford, Massachusetts, man was driving a northbound Honda Civic on Mammoth Road, just north of Bush Hill Road, around 7:20 p.m. when the car crossed the double yellow line and hit a southbound Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup head-on. Witnesses told investigators the Civic kept accelerating after the first impact, striking the pickup several more times and pushing it an estimated 100 feet down the road before coming to a stop.
The Chelmsford man, identified by police as Mark Breen, was taken to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The pickup's driver was also hospitalized and is expected to recover. Breen faces charges of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, driving under the influence, and reckless operation, authorities said. He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on November 2.
Mammoth Road was closed near Bush Hill Road for about an hour while officers investigated and crews cleared the damaged vehicles. The circumstances surrounding Breen's crossing the center line remain under investigation.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
More on Crashes in Pelham, NH
This crash happened on Mammoth Road in Pelham, NH. We cover crashes across Hillsborough County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Hillsborough County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers avoid drifting into oncoming traffic?
Staying alert, avoiding distractions and impairment, and slowing down on unfamiliar or narrow roads all reduce the chance of crossing the center line. Fatigue and intoxication are common factors investigators look at after a head-on crash.
Where do these crashes tend to happen most often?
They're more common on two-lane roads without a median, especially where drivers attempt to pass or where visibility is limited by curves, hills, or weather.
Why is passing considered risky on two-lane roads?
Passing requires briefly entering the oncoming lane, and any misjudgment of speed or distance can put a driver directly in another vehicle's path.
Do median barriers actually prevent head-on crashes?
Physical barriers between opposing lanes of travel remove the chance of a vehicle crossing into oncoming traffic, which is why they're used on many higher-speed roads to separate opposing flows.
What to Do After a Head-on Crash in Pelham, NH
Call 911 right away and stay put if it's safe to do so; head-on impacts often cause injuries that aren't obvious until later. Accept medical evaluation at the scene even if you feel fine, since adrenaline can mask pain from whiplash or internal injuries. Get the names and badge numbers of responding officers and ask how to obtain the official crash report once it's filed. Take photos of both vehicles, the road, and any skid marks if you're physically able, and get contact information from witnesses before they leave. Follow up with your own doctor in the days afterward, and keep records of any treatment in case you need them later.
