Groveton, NH — February 17, 2025, Joseph Letourneau and Edward Stone were injured in a truck accident at about 6 p.m. on U.S. Route 3.

Authorities said a railroad plow was clearing snow when it got stuck on Route 3 near mile marker 173. A southbound semi-truck hauling lumber crashed head-on with the plow, scattering its load across the highway.

Plow driver Joseph Letourneau, 22, and truck driver Edward Stone, 64, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash, according to authorities.

Authorities said the warning lights at the railroad crossing were not flashing at the time of the crash, but the plow had a flashing light on it.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

A crash like this, involving a semi-truck colliding head-on with a railroad plow stuck on the highway, raises important questions about both visibility and road safety procedures. Anytime a large commercial vehicle crashes into an obstruction, investigators need to look beyond the immediate impact and examine how the situation developed in the first place.

One of the key concerns here is why the railroad plow got stuck on U.S. Route 3. Was it due to mechanical failure, an operational error or something about the road conditions? Railroad equipment crossing highways is always a potential hazard, and when something goes wrong, there should be clear procedures in place to prevent a collision. Investigators should determine whether proper protocols were followed once the plow became immobile.

Another important issue is why the semi-truck driver was unable to avoid the crash. The report mentions that the railroad crossing warning lights were not flashing, meaning there may not have been an advance warning that the plow was blocking the road. That raises the question of whether the truck driver had enough time to react or if the flashing light on the plow was insufficient to alert oncoming traffic in time. Investigators should look into sightlines, weather conditions and the speed of the truck at the time of impact.

The trucking company’s role also deserves scrutiny. Did the driver have adequate training for driving in snowy conditions? Was the truck properly maintained, with brakes and tires capable of stopping safely on a winter road? A review of ECM (black box) data could help clarify whether speed or braking distance played a role in the collision.

Lastly, the safety measures at the railroad crossing should be examined. If a piece of railroad equipment gets stuck on a highway, is there a system in place to alert drivers beyond the plow’s own flashing light? Could additional warning systems, such as automated crossing signals or remote alerts to law enforcement, have helped prevent this collision?

Collisions like this highlight the challenges of maintaining safety at railroad crossings, particularly in winter conditions. A thorough investigation should consider every factor to determine what went wrong and whether changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.