A 22-year-old New Hampshire man faces criminal summonses after state investigators identified him as the driver in an October hit-and-run crash through an active Interstate 95 construction zone that seriously injured a road worker, WMTW reported.
Charges Filed Following Pittsfield Crash
Jonathan McDonald of Laconia received court summonses from Maine State Police following the October 14 incident near mile marker 150 on I-95 northbound in Pittsfield. Authorities charged McDonald with accidents involving death or personal injury, a Class D crime; driving to endanger, a Class E offense; and accident reports, also a Class E offense. Under Maine law, Class D and Class E offenses carry maximum sentences of less than one year.
The collision unfolded shortly after 8:17 a.m. as construction reduced northbound traffic to a single lane. Investigators established that a light-colored pickup truck towing a black dump trailer struck a concrete Jersey barrier on the right side of the highway. The impact knocked an orange construction barrel into a worker standing inside the active work zone.
Worker Hospitalized After Barrier Impact
Richard Smart, 56, of Westfield, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries when the barrel struck him. Emergency responders transported Smart to Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital for treatment. State police confirmed that Smart has since been discharged from the hospital.
The pickup truck did not stop after the impact, continuing north on the interstate. Witnesses told investigators they saw the driver turn around inside the cab as the crash occurred before accelerating away from the scene.
Public Tips Help Police Identify Driver and Vehicle
State police launched a public appeal on October 21 by releasing a photograph of the suspect pickup truck and trailer. Two days later, investigators announced they had identified the driver, though they withheld McDonald’s name during the initial October 23 announcement.
Authorities credited tips from residents and motorists with helping detectives track down the vehicle and identify the driver. State police officials publicly thanked members of the community who came forward with information to assist the ongoing investigation.
