Rochester, NH Man’s Truck Sent Airborne at Toll Plaza

A driver who fell asleep at the wheel crashed into the Rochester Toll Plaza early Friday morning.

Troopers from New Hampshire State Police responded to the plaza on Route 16 at approximately 3:50 a.m.

An on-scene investigation revealed that a 2006 Toyota Tundra being driven by Austin Koontz, 39, of Rochester, was traveling northbound on Route 16 approaching the Rochester Toll Plaza when he fell asleep and lost control of the truck.

Koontz hit the concrete abutment in lane two at the toll plaza, which sent the Tundra airborne, crashing into the toll booth, which was unoccupied at the time.

The Tundra sustained heavy damage and came to final rest north of the toll plaza.

Koontz was not injured in the collision.

The Rochester toll plaza remained open to only one travel lane northbound for approximately 8 hours while personnel from NHDOT Bureau of Turnpikes replaced the toll booth and equipment.

State troopers were assisted at the scene by the Rochester Police Department, Rochester Fire and EMS, NH Department of Transportation and Doug’s Towing.

Anyone with information pertaining to this crash is asked to contact Trooper Matthew Bailey of the New Hampshire State Police, Troop-A Barracks at 603-223-8490 or Matthew.Bailey@dos.nh.gov.

Contact Managing News Editor Kimberley Haas at Kimberley.Haas@townsquaremedia.com.