Trooper escapes serious injury when rear-ended while doing safety detail

The cruiser sustained heavy rear-end damage in the crash (NHSP photo)

LONDONDERRY - A New Hampshire State Trooper was injured on Wednesday when his cruiser that was parked in the breakdown lane was rear-ended by another vehicle on Interstate 93.

The crash occurred around 3:40 p.m. in the northbound lane just north of Exit 4, where the cruiser was providing a safety detail for a construction crew.

Upon arrival it was determined that the trooper was inside his cruiser on the right shoulder with emergency blue lights activated site when a 2017 Hyundai Elantra driven by Michael Shanahan, 36, of North Chelmsford ran into him.

The Elantra was seen driving in the right breakdown lane before striking the State Police cruiser, according to a statement sent out Wednesday by the Dept. of Safety..

The New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (CAR) Unit led the investigation,

As a result of the crash, both the trooper and Shanahan were transported to the Elliot Hospital for what were described as nonlife threatening injuries.

All aspects of this crash remain under investigation, and anyone with additional information, or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact Trooper Luan Sanches at Luan.G.Sanches@dos.nh.gov or (603) 227-0114.