Wrong-way driver causes five-car collision in New Hampshire, police say

A woman who police say was driving the wrong way on the Everett Turnpike in Nashua, New Hampshire has been charged after a five-car collision, according to New Hampshire state police.

At 10:34 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of a wrong-way driver driving north on the southbound side of the highway. On their way to the scene, police learned that the car had struck another vehicle near Exit 7W.

At the scene, police said the driver of the car that was going the wrong way was trapped inside her vehicle, a Subaru Impreza, which had caught fire. Troopers were able to get her out of the car quickly.

A preliminary investigation showed that the Subaru was driving north on the southbound side of the highway when it hit a pickup truck in the left lane, police said. Immediately after, three other vehicles crashed into the first two.

The driver and passenger of the pickup truck received serious injuries, and the occupants of the other vehicles received minor injuries, police said.

Jennifer Pratka, 29, of Litchfield, New Hampshire has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence and reckless conduct. She was brought to St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua for treatment of minor injuries. She will appear in Hillsborough Superior Court next month.

The southbound lanes of the highway were shut down between Exits 7W and 7E for about three and a half hours during the investigation and cleanup.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact police at 603-223-8308 or [email protected].

References

1. ^{^} Massachusetts State Police trooper hit by car on Rte. 93 in Milton (www.masslive.com)
2. ^{^} Pedestrian killed in Newburyport crash, police say (www.masslive.com)