On November 17, 2023, a serious motor vehicle rollover incident occurred on the Circumferential Highway in Nashua, resulting in two individuals sustaining serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The incident happened shortly after 11:20 p.m. when emergency services responded to a report of a single vehicle that had veered off the road and plummeted down an embankment. Among the occupants, one individual was ejected from the vehicle during the crash, prompting the involvement of local fire and police departments, as well as state authorities.
The vehicle involved in the collision was identified as a red 2022 Hyundai Kano, driven by Ian Odea, a 26-year-old resident of Hudson. The circumstances surrounding the crash indicate that Odea was driving eastbound on the Circumferential Highway when the vehicle unexpectedly left the off-ramp to the Daniel Webster Highway. It managed to cross an on-ramp, breach a guardrail, and subsequently roll down a steep embankment that led towards the railroad tracks adjacent to the Merrimack River.
As a result of the rollover, a passenger, identified as Laura Gomes Duhan, also 26 years old but from Haverhill, Massachusetts, was thrown from the vehicle. Emergency personnel responded quickly; Odea was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center under a trauma alert designation, while Duhan required more urgent care and was airlifted by Boston MedFlight to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. The seriousness of her injuries necessitated the urgent airlift, highlighting the high-risk nature of the incident.
To facilitate the landing of the medical helicopter, all lanes of the Circumferential Highway, along with the associated on- and off-ramps to the Daniel Webster Highway, were temporarily closed. This significant disruption underscored the scale of the emergency response required and the safety precautions necessary in such situations. The coordination among various emergency services was crucial in managing the scene and ensuring both victims received the medical attention they needed as promptly as possible.
The investigation into the factors that led to the crash is currently ongoing. Law enforcement agencies, including state police, are actively looking into all aspects of the event to determine the cause and any contributing factors to the rollover. They are encouraging anyone who may have additional information regarding the incident to reach out to Trooper First Class Tyler Duhamel via the contact details provided.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident raises awareness about the dangers associated with highway driving, particularly at night. Rollover accidents can lead to devastating consequences, and this case serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety measures. The effectiveness of rapid emergency response teams in such critical situations highlights the need for ongoing community awareness and preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.