A PORTER PAVING TRUCK ended up against a tree after being struck by another pickup that crossed the center line on Route 104 in New Hampton on Thursday. JOHN KOZIOL/CITIZEN NEW HAMPTON — Two days after a three-car crash sent seven people to area hospitals, Route 104 was the scene of another crash Thursday afternoon during which the driver of one pickup truck crossed into the oncoming lane, striking and forcing the driver of another pickup to swerve and slam into a tree.

Both drivers, who were the sole occupants of their vehicles, were transported to Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia for minor injuries following the crash which occurred around 2:15 p.m. about a mile east of Abe’s Awesome Armaments.

New Hampton Police Sgt. George Huckins said Ronald Adams of Plymouth was westbound on Route 104 in a Ford Ranger when, for an unknown reason, he swerved into the eastbound lane, striking the front end of a Porter Paving company truck driven by Richard Stanley of Tilton.

As the collision was unfolding, Stanley took evasive action and steered his truck across the westbound land and onto a graveled area on the north side of Route 104 where his vehicle came to rest after striking a large tree. Meanwhile, Adams’ vehicle ended up on the side of an embankment, about a quarter mile west of Stanley’s truck, on the south side of the highway.

Huckins said Adams told him he had no recollection of the crash or what led up to it. Huckins added that he did not expect any charges would be filed.

Two witnesses who saw the crash told him Adams was operating normally until he crossed into the other lane, said Huckins, who was grateful that the injuries were not more serious, given that the speed limit on that part of Route 104 is 55 miles per hour.

A second, westbound vehicle passed through the debris field of the accident and received minor damage but its occupants were uninjured, said Huckins.