Motor Vehicle Collision Involving a New Hampshire State Police Cruiser

Merrimack, NH – On April 30, 2022 at approximately 7:37 AM, Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police Troop B and Troop A Barracks, along with Officers from the Merrimack Police Department and medical personnel from the Merrimack Fire Department, responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash involving a New Hampshire State Police Cruiser, on the F.E. Everett Turnpike North near mile marker 11.2 in Merrimack.

Upon arrival, it was determined that a Trooper from the New Hampshire State Police was positioned, within his cruiser, in the right break down lane. A vehicle traveling northbound proceeded to drive into the breakdown lane and strike the rear of the Trooper’s cruiser. The Trooper was inside the cruiser at the time of the collision.

The vehicle that struck the Trooper’s cruiser was identified as a 2007 Silver Ford Edge. The operator of that vehicle was identified as Erica Murphy (Age: 39), Manchester, NH.

Both the Trooper and Murphy were transported to the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire with non-life threating injuries. MURPHY was subsequently charged with Driving under the Influence and is scheduled to be arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court on Monday, May 2, 2022.

At the request of the New Hampshire State Police – Troop B, the Collision Analysis & Reconstruction (C.A.R.) Unit responded to the scene and assumed the lead of the investigation. The C.A.R. Unit was assisted on scene by New Hampshire State Police – Troop B and Troop A, and the Merrimack Police and Fire Departments.

All aspects of the collision remain under investigation and anyone who may have witnessed the crash are urged to contact Sergeant Christopher Martineau at Christopher.J.Martineau@dos.nh.gov or by voicemail at (603) 223-8626.

“Troopers from your New Hampshire State Police continue to put their lives on the line, every day, to make certain New Hampshire remains the safest state in our nation,” said Colonel Nathan Noyes. “The dangers they face are real and often times unforgiving. As our men and women continue to ensure everyone’s safety on our roadways, we ask those traveling to remain vigilant and avoid distractions, fatigue, and impairment while behind the wheel. It takes all of us to keep our communities safe.”