A fiery crash led to both sides of Interstate 93 being temporarily shut down in Bow, New Hampshire, on Saturday afternoon, as the fire increased in size and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside the vehicle started exploding.
New Hampshire State Police said they received a report just before 3 p.m. that a vehicle had been operating erratically right before crashing on I-93 northbound in the area of mile marker 32.2.
According to police, the vehicle hit the center median jersey barrier before ricocheting back across all lanes of traffic and striking another vehicle. It then continued into the woods where it struck several trees and caught on fire.
Three people were able to escape from the car, and one was taken to a local hospital with significant injuries. They are expected to survive, police said.
Get New England news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NECN newsletters.
No injuries were reported in the car that was hit.
All northbound lanes of I-93 were shut down as the fire grew, and then the southbound lanes were also shut down as several hundred rounds of ammunition in the vehicle started exploding.
Fire crews arrived on scene shortly after and were able to contain the fire, allowing the southbound lanes to reopen, police said. The high-speed lane on the northbound side was reopened, as well, but the other two lanes remained shut down for a significant period of time.
Photos from the scene showed one vehicle fully engulfed in flames in the woods alongside the road, and major traffic delays were reported.
Police are withholding the names of those involved pending further investigation.
According to police, one person was arrested on several warrants and additional charges may be forthcoming pending the outcome of their investigation.
Police said multiple witnesses and Good Samaritans stopped to assist, and anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage of it is asked to call Trooper Josh Farmer at Joshua.A.Farmer@dos.nh.gov, or at 603-227-0038.
