Solar Glare Sparks Chain‑Reaction Crashes on Route 101 in Raymond

On a bright Sunday morning in Raymond, New Hampshire, the sun decided to play a cruel trick on commuters traveling along Route 101. A sudden flash of solar glare hit the roadway, forcing a number of drivers to slam on their brakes almost simultaneously.

The abrupt stops turned into a domino effect. Within minutes, a chain‑reaction crash involving several vehicles unfolded, prompting bystanders to rush to the scene. One driver was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a nearby hospital, but thankfully only with minor injuries.

Just as the first scene was beginning to clear, the glare struck again. A second, smaller two‑car collision occurred a short distance down the road. This time, no one was hurt, but the combined chaos was enough to shut Route 101 for about an hour.

New Hampshire State Police confirmed that the blinding sunlight was the primary cause of both incidents. "When drivers are caught off guard by intense glare, the reaction is often a hard brake, and on a busy highway that quickly becomes a safety nightmare," an officer explained.

Traffic was rerouted while crews cleared the debris, and normal flow resumed once the road was deemed safe. Authorities reminded motorists to stay alert for changing light conditions, especially during the early morning and late afternoon when the sun can be especially low on the horizon.