Gov. Ayotte, her security team, other witnesses assist driver after crash

Gov. Kelly Ayotte and her security detail helped pull the driver of a car that crashed into the Bedford tolls to safety Tuesday.New Hampshire State Police confirmed that Ayotte and her security detail came upon the crash shortly before noon.State Police Col. Mark Hall said a trooper assigned to Ayotte's security detail and two other people who stopped pulled the driver from the burning vehicle. The driver was the only person in the car."The trooper, without hesitation, recognized it was a serious crash, recognized there was clearly someone still in the vehicle and they were able to pull the person out through the window, along with a couple bystanders who stopped to help," Hall said.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<Hall said Ayotte left her vehicle and also tried to assist, including by grabbing a fire extinguisher. He said she wasn't in any danger."I want to thank the Trooper on my security detail and the bystanders who stepped up to help at the scene of the crash for their brave lifesaving efforts today," Ayotte said in a post on X. "Joe and I are praying for the full recovery of the driver who was injured today.">> View raw video from the scene:The driver suffered serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening and was taken to Elliot Hospital. He was later identified as Yevgeny Mirman, 51, of Massachusetts.Witness Michael Sullivan was one of the people who stopped to help. He said he checked the car again after Mirman incoherently said his child was inside."I had called his wife again and she didn't answer, so I texted her and said, 'Hey, you need to text me. So this is what's going on,' and she called immediately," Sullivan said.He said the driver's wife confirmed the child was with her and spoke with an EMT at the scene.The car, an electric vehicle with Massachusetts plates, caught fire, and firefighters were using a special blanket to try to extinguish the fire. The northbound lanes of the Everett Turnpike were shut down as crews fought the fire.Hall said he spoke with the trooper, who he said would not be identified because of the nature of their security detail with the governor. He said the trooper had no serious injuries and indicated they were just doing their job.Traffic was diverted off the highway at Exit 13, and some southbound lanes were also closed. The road was back open shortly before 4:30 p.m.Bedford Deputy Fire Chief Eric Dubowik said that while the crash is still under investigation, similar crashes have involved high speeds."(The tollbooths) are designed to take cars hitting them, and they actually flip them," Dubowik said. "So please, take your time going through the tolls. Safety first. Because if you don't make it to your destination, what's the point?"No charges have been filed at this time, police said.>> Raw video: New Hampshire State Police Col. Mark Hall discusses Bedford crash