BEDFORD, NH — A serious crash at the Bedford Toll Plaza on the F.E. Everett Turnpike occurred on Tuesday, resulting in a vehicle fire and serious injuries.
The incident involved a single vehicle that struck a toll booth at approximately 2:41 p.m. The driver, identified as 51-year-old Yevgeny Mirman of Massachusetts, was trapped inside the vehicle and required rescue assistance. According to authorities, an individual from Governor Kelly Ayotte's security detail helped extricate Mirman, who was seriously injured.
Emergency services responded promptly, closing the roadway for several hours to manage the situation. A second driver, 45-year-old Aracelia Valentin from Lawrence, Massachusetts, sustained minor injuries in a separate toll booth incident just two days earlier and faces charges for driving while intoxicated.
The Bedford Toll Plaza has seen multiple serious accidents over the years, prompting ongoing discussions about roadway safety. Authorities have stated that construction is underway to transition to open road tolling, with an estimated cost of $16 million. According to Bedford Town Council Chair Phil Greazzo, this initiative aims to reduce the risk of future incidents.
In past incidents, a November crash resulted in serious injuries to two people and fatalities of two dogs. Additionally, a particularly deadly crash occurred in June 2024, following which lawmakers have pushed to remove toll booths altogether. The planned open tolling is expected to begin in September 2027.