Motorist cited after crash sent brand-new Freightliner into woods, New Hampshire troopers say

A motorist was ticketed following a two-vehicle crash that sent a semi truck off the roadway into a wooded area in Auburn, New Hampshire.

The crash took place on around 3:35 p.m. on July 29, 2026, on westbound Route 101 at mile marker 62.4 in Auburn.

According to the New Hampshire State Police (NHSP), Pedro Cruz, 31, was driving a 2022 Ford T-350 van in the left lane of Route 101 when he lost control.

The van swerved into the right lane and struck a 2027 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Timothy Lake, 47.

Both vehicles went off the road into the woods.

Both Cruz and Lake were hospitalized with minor injuries.

“Investigators ultimately determined that Cruz was traveling too fast for the wet road conditions prior to the crash,” NHSP said. “Cruz was cited for a violation of speeding – existing conditions.”

Due to the “extensive effort” required to recover the vehicles from the woods, Route 101 did not fully reopen until 11:20 p.m. on July 29.

Assisting agencies include the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Auburn, Candia, and Derry fire departments, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.