Five-car accident under investigation

AMHERST – The cause of a five-vehicle accident Friday on Route 101A that sent three people to local hospitals remained under investigation Monday, according to police.

The accident shut down a section of Route 101A for about two hours, said Police Chief Peter Lyon. The accident occurred when Marilyn Washington, 59, of Milford, drove her car over the center island in the area of Paul’s Way. Her car collided with vehicles driven by Mark Rodier, 35, of Hillsboro, and Mark Hoffman, 56, of Milford, police said. Two other drivers, Steven Varney, 55, of Nashua, and Calvin Winey, 50, of Peterborough, then collided while trying to avoid the first accident.

Washington and Rodier were trapped in their cars and required extrication, Lyon said.

Washington, Rodier and a passenger in Rodier’s car were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Lyon described the injuries as serious, but not life-threatening. The accident occurred at 6:18 p.m. and police were on scene two minutes later, Lyon said. As the cause is still under investigation, no charges have been filed, said Lyon.