Driver severely hurt in fiery accident on Everett Turnpike in Merrimack

A driver was seriously injured in a crash that led to a fire early Friday morning on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. The incident occurred on the southbound side of the turnpike just after 1:30 a.m. State police reported that they were pursuing the vehicle prior to the crash, with the car reportedly traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph before veering off the road and colliding with a tree. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicle, as explained by Capt. Shawn Farrell of the Merrimack Fire Department. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, became trapped as the vehicle caught fire. Firefighters worked for about 40 minutes to extricate the driver from the vehicle, which had rolled several times before coming to rest upright against trees in the woods. The driver was airlifted to Mass. General Brigham for medical treatment. The driver's mother, Yaritza Rodriguez, described arriving at the hospital in the early hours of the morning and being distressed by her son's condition, which required him to be put into a coma due to fractures sustained in the crash. Rodriguez expressed gratitude that her son was still able to speak to someone who was unseen by others, hoping it was his guardian angel watching over him. The newsletter article also mentioned that following the incident, no other individuals were harmed, with a section of the highway reopening after a brief closure that lasted 15 to 20 minutes.