> At a Glance
> – A New Hampshire family of three walked away from a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler on Dec. 28, 2025
> – All three required surgery after the snowy-road crash on Route 101 in Temple
> – Driver Robert Martin endured 6 plates and 16 rods to reconstruct his hip and pelvis
> – Why it matters: Their survival underscores how quickly winter roads turn lethal-and how slim the margin can be between tragedy and miracle.
A routine ride home after a holiday visit became a life-altering crash that left a Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, family hospitalized yet grateful to be alive.
How the Crash Unfolded
Melanie Larssen, partner Robert Martin and Larssen’s 14-year-old daughter were ten minutes into their drive when the Ford Escape hit black ice. Martin lost control, fishtailing across Route 101 before striking a semi head-on.
Larssen told the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript she remembers spotting the truck seconds before impact. After the collision she tried to free her daughter but collapsed when her ankles gave out; Martin was pinned inside the SUV.
- Temperatures had dropped rapidly, coating the pavement with a thin, nearly invisible ice layer
- The SUV’s rear slid first, then whipped into oncoming traffic
- Bystanders rushed to help until paramedics arrived
Injuries and Recovery
All three family members survived multiple surgeries and were discharged the same weekend.
| Family Member | Key Injuries | Surgical Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Melanie Larssen | Broken C1 vertebra (3 pieces), sternum fracture, both ankles | Stabilized, recovering at home |
| Robert Martin | Shattered left hip, femur driven into rib cage | 6 plates, 16 rods/bolts; future hip replacement expected |
| 14-year-old daughter | Internal injuries from seatbelt | Improving daily, described as “a fighter” |
The semi driver was unharmed.
Financial Fallout
Neither Larssen nor Martin can work while healing, prompting a GoFundMe campaign.
> “No work equals no income. We do not want to get behind on bills, and it looks like that’s exactly what is going to happen.” – Melanie Larssen
They’re seeking community help for rent, utilities and ongoing medical costs as appointments stretch into the new year.
Key Takeaways
- Black ice caused the Escape to fishtail uncontrollably despite Martin’s attempts to correct
- All three victims credit bystander aid and emergency crews for keeping them alive
- Months of rehab and financial strain lie ahead
- Larssen calls survival a “Christmas miracle”-a phrase echoed by local responders
The family is now recuperating under one roof, focused on healing and gratitude rather than the wreckage left behind.
