Police cruiser struck on I-93 in Thornton while assisting vehicle off the road in the storm

At about 9:30 a.m.,trooper Shawn Slaney of Troop F and officer Mark Smoker of the Thornton Police Department were assisting a northbound vehicle that had gone off the left side of the road. Both police cruisers had emergency lights activated. Emergency flares were set up and the left lane was closed.

Amico drove through the flares and attempted to avoid hitting the cruiser by swerving into the travel lane, but hit the cruiser before striking a guardrail. Both Slaney and Smoker were outside their vehicles at the time.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety reminds drivers to reduce their speed during snowstorms, give ample room to vehicles ahead of them, and to drive with caution and move over for emergency vehicles.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Sgt. Nathan Hamilton at .

rbaker@unionleader.com