18-year-old seriously injured when Jeep collides with semi, bursts into flames

DUBLIN, N.H. — An 18-year-old man was seriously injured last Tuesday when his Jeep slammed into an oncoming truck and burst into flames, according to police in New Hampshire.

Samuel Lachance was driving his Jeep toward Keene on Main Street in Dublin when Chief Timothy Suokko said it crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming semi. The impact caused the truck's fuel tank to rupture, which sparked a massive fire.

"It's been our worst nightmare and I think our biggest miracle at the same time," Samuel's mother, Jessica Lachance, said.

The driver of the truck, 66-year-old Jean Morency, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while Lachance was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston with serious injuries.

Lachance remains in the hospital Monday afternoon and police are still investigating the circumstances of the collision.

"He is somewhat alert. He is able to recognize people. His burns are healing unbelievably well. So he's coming along, but he does have a pretty traumatic brain injury," Jessica explained.

Samuel was headed back to college to begin his second semester at Keene State College when it happened. Jessica says Samuel doesn't have any memory of the crash or what caused him to go into the other lane, and police are still investigating.

"He's not a kid who ever had a speeding ticket. He doesn't text and drive. He's not a kid. He's a very responsible guy," she said.

What the family does know is a father and son dragged Samuel out of the fiery car, and for that, they're forever indebted.

"As parents -- and I think Sam would say the same -- how grateful he is that the right people at the right time were there to save his life," Jessica said.

The family says Samuel has even been able to answer one question for them: "What's your favorite sports team?"

He's a diehard Bruins fan who had just driven all the way to Indiana and back with his father to see the Bruins play in the Winter Classic. They made the trip safely, only for this to happen.

The family says they'd like to give Samuel the goal of watching a Bruins game in person to motivate him to get better.

You can donate to Samuel's GoFundMe here.

Cox Media Group