Pickup Truck Crashes Into I-95 Tolls

The right two lanes of Interstate 95 south near the Hampton Toll Plaza were closed for two hours Wednesday morning after a car crashed into a toll booth.

The accident was first reported around 8:45 a.m., according to emergency radio broadcasts. William Boynton, a spokesman for the state Department of Transporation, said a southbound car apparently tried to cut off a truck heading toward southbound lane one, and the car ended up on top of the concrete abutment that protects the toll booth.

State police said preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 Ford Ranger pickup driven by Christopher Desjardins, 43, of Wells, Maine, was traveling on I-95 south, approaching the Hampton Toll Plaza. For reasons that are still under investigation, the vehicle struck the concrete island and protective barrier separating lanes one and two. The vehicle continued over the top of the concrete barricade before striking the steel roof supports.

A 2007 International tractor trailer unit, driven by Mark McDonald, 39, of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, was stopped at lane one preparing to pay the toll. After striking the steel roof supports, the Ford Ranger driven by Desjardins began to lean to the right, becoming lodged against the left side of the trailer attached to the tractor trailer.

The Ford Ranger was stabilized by members of the Hampton Fire Department. Desjardins was then safely removed from his vehicle. He was transported to the Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where he was treated and released for minor injuries.

McDonald was not injured in the collision. The toll booth that was struck was occupied at the time of this collision, but the attendant inside was not injured.

The right two lanes of Interstate 95 south were closed for approximately two hours as state police conducted their investigation and the vehicles were removed. Additional closures may be necessary as the damage is assessed and repairs are made.

Assisting state police at the scene was the Hampton Fire Department, the New Hampshire State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and the Department of Transportation.

The accident remains under investigation by Trooper Michael A. Shupe. Anyone with information pertaining to this collision is asked to contact Shupe at 603-223-8490.