Staff reports 6:14 a.m.
Thursday, March 12, 2026 6:12 am
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SOMERSWORTH - Somersworth Police are investigating a rollover crash on Wednesday that caused a broken utility pole leading to a power outage.
The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. in the area of High Street near Tri City Road.
Once on scene emergency personnel located two vehicles involved in the crash that were covered in live power lines due to the heavily damaged pole in the roadway.
One of the vehicles, a 2019 Ford Ranger pickup truck, lay on its side with extensive front-end damage and inside a single occupant trapped, according to a release sent out on Wednesday by Somersworth Police.
Several witnesses and bystanders rendered what aid they could to the male operator, under very dangerous conditions. The occupant was soon extricated and transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital with serious injuries.
The operator of the pickup truck was identified as Roger Smith, 72, of Somersworth. He is cooperating with the investigation, police say.
The operator in the second vehicle, a 2017 Subaru Outback, was uninjured and removed from the vehicle that was also covered in power lines. All five lanes of the High Street corridor had to be closed for several hours while emergency crews worked to remove the two vehicles from the scene.
Eversource responded with dozens of crews, and specialized equipment throughout the night and into the morning hours today when power was restored.
The Somersworth Police Department is investigating all aspects of the crash and at this time alcohol does not appear to be a factor.
The southbound lane of travel continues to be down to one lane while repairs continue.
This crash remains under investigation and anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Somersworth Police Department directly at 603-692-3131, or you can leave an anonymous tip by phone at 603-692-9111 or online by visiting; https://www.somersworth.com/police/webforms/submit-tip.