New Hampshire man charged in I-95 crash that injured Maine worker
Maine State Police Charge New Hampshire Man After Construction‑Zone Crash on I‑95
A 22‑year‑old driver from Laconia, New Hampshire, has been charged with several offenses after a truck he was operating struck a construction barrier and a safety barrel on Interstate 95, injuring a construction worker in Maine. The incident, which took place in a northbound construction zone near mile marker 150 in Pittsfield on October 14, has prompted a summons and a public request for identifying the driver.
Jonathan McDonald, 22, was arrested by the Maine State Police on Wednesday after a preliminary investigation determined he was responsible for the crash. Police filed charges of an accident involving death or personal injury, driving to endanger, and failing to report the incident. The summons was issued during the same week.
According to Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, the collision occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m. on Monday. A light‑colored pickup truck, towing a black dump trailer, struck a Jersey barrier on the right side of the highway and an orange construction barrel. The barrel was propelled into Richard Smart, 56, a Westfield resident and employee of Northeast Construction.
Smart was taken to Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital with serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries. He was subsequently released from the facility after stabilization and is recovering at home.
Moss released a photograph of the suspected vehicle last week, urging the public to help identify the driver. Police believe McDonald was aware of the crash, as witnesses reported seeing him turn his vehicle, then speed away from the scene. The suspect was not immediately apprehended, and the vehicle was not recovered.
“Even though the injuries were serious, they were not life‑threatening, and Mr. Smart has been released,” Moss said in a statement. “We are actively investigating the incident and will pursue all available leads to bring the responsible party to justice.”
The Maine State Police have stated that they are continuing to pursue the case, and that any additional information from the public will be taken into account. A press release from the department also highlighted that the driver was charged with multiple offenses, which could carry significant penalties if the case proceeds to trial.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers present in construction zones, especially on heavily trafficked corridors such as Interstate 95. Motorists are urged to remain vigilant and follow posted signs and barriers to avoid similar accidents.
