A Massachusetts driver’s erratic Friday-evening crash on a busy New Hampshire interstate quickly unraveled into something far more alarming.
A48-year-old Massachusetts man is behind bars on multiple felony charges after a high-speed crash on Interstate 93 in Manchester, New Hampshire, turned into a dangerous standoff — one that included a firearm being thrown over a highway barrier before police could even reach him.
State troopers first received calls around 5 p.m. Friday reporting a black GMC pickup traveling at excessive speed and weaving dangerously through traffic. Minutes later, a crash was confirmed near mile marker 18.4 on I-93 northbound in Hillsborough County.
When troopers arrived, the driver — identified as Michael J. Collins of Bradford, Massachusetts — was already behaving erratically at the scene. Witnesses told investigators that before police made contact, Collins allegedly hurled an object over a nearby barrier. That object, recovered shortly after, turned out to be a firearm.
Collins initially refused to comply with commands before eventually being taken into custody, according to New Hampshire State Police.
An investigation revealed Collins had lost control of his pickup truck, struck a guardrail, crossed lanes, and then collided with another vehicle. Remarkably, the other driver was not injured in the crash.
Collins was transported to a local hospital for treatment before being released into police custody. He is currently being held without bail.
Charges filed
- Reckless conduct — motor vehicle
- Reckless conduct — firearm
- Falsifying physical evidence
- DUI-related offenses
- Conduct after an accident
Multiple lanes of I-93 were shut down during the lengthy response, which required assistance from the Manchester Fire Department and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. The closures caused significant delays for Friday evening commuters.
New Hampshire State Police say the case remains under active investigation. No further suspects have been identified at this time.
