Woman survives jump from SUV, hit by two cars

DOVER – A California woman escaped serious injuries Monday when she jumped from a moving car on the Spaulding Turnpike, crossed several lanes of traffic and was struck by two cars.

Police said Anne Marie Powell, 66, of Carmel, Calif., jumped out of her sister's 2006 Lexus 300 as it was traveling north on Route 16 (the Spaulding Turnpike). According to Foster's Daily Democrat, Donna J. Solod, 62, of 1 Campfire Lane, Wolfeboro, was driving about 60 mph when her sister jumped out of the SUV.

State Police Sgt. Daniel Berridge of Troop A told Foster's that Solod "heard air," looked towards her sister to find the passenger door open and her sister trying to jump out. Solod tried to stop her but lost her grip on Powell, he said.

Powell crossed over the guard rail and both southbound lanes of traffic and was hit by side mirrors on two moving vehicles, suffering minor injuries..

The incident happened about 6 p.m. on Route 16 North, just north of the Exit 9 overpass.

She was taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital where she was treated and later admitted for observation.

Traffic on the southbound side of the turnpike was closed to one lane for about an hour while Dover Fire and Rescue crews attended to and stabilized Powell for transport, state police said.

The drivers of the other two vehicle were not injured.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information concerning it is asked to contact Trooper Brian Ross or Berridge at 603-223-8490.