Electric Vehicle Loses Control, Rolls After Crashing In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester firefighters responded to a multi-vehicle crash after an electric vehicle lost control and crashed into several cars in a grocery store parking lot.

Manchester police, firefighters, and AMR ambulance responded to the report of a vehicle rolling over Tuesday at about 9:20 a.m. at Market Basket at 460 Elm St. Upon arrival, they found an electric vehicle on its side, smoking, along with several other damaged cars. Crews stretched hose lines and assessed the incident for injuries.

A 50-year-old woman from Massachusetts was driving a 2024 electric Toyota Highlander was initially trapped until bystanders worked to get her out of the vehicle.

The woman driving the Highlander was initially trapped until bystanders worked to get her out of the vehicle.

The bystander, Joshua Richey of Manchester, said the woman told him that her brake wouldn’t function and she lost control. It appears the woman was driving south in the parking lot, and when she lost control, she jumped two medians and crashed head-on into a vehicle. The vehicle that was struck head-on spun around, and after hitting several other vehicles, the electric car rolled over.

Video from the scene, includingan interview with witness Joshua Richey:

Manchester Police Sgt. Michael Donahue said an on-scene investigation revealed that the Highlander drove into the lot from Auburn St and drove at a high rate of speed.

The Toyota crashed into five parked vehicles and caused significant property damage. The driver reported a mechanical failure, causing the vehicle to accelerate out of control. The damage to the Toyota Highlander was a total loss, with several other vehicles sustaining significant damage.

Firefighters evaluated a man who had a baby in a car seat for injuries, and it is unknown what physical injuries the baby had, but they did not appear to be life-threatening.

The woman who was driving the vehicle that lost control was transported to a local hospital for unknown injuries.

Firefighters remained at the scene as the electric vehicle was uprighted and the heavily damaged vehicles were removed. Firefighters evaluated the electric vehicle's batteries to determine they were not leaking or damaged in the crash, which can cause extreme fire danger.

The Manchester Police Department is investigating the factors of this crash. If you have any information regarding this incident, please call 603-668-8711.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news