Authorities have identified the victim of a devastating early-morning crash that occurred in Ashland, New Hampshire, on Sunday. The victim, 21-year-old Ryan C. Berg of Bristol, lost his life in a fiery single-vehicle accident that unfolded in the early hours of October 13, 2025.
According to New Hampshire State Police, the tragic incident took place at approximately 2:45 a.m., about one mile north of Exit 24 on Interstate 93, as Berg’s vehicle veered off the road and became engulfed in flames.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Berg had been traveling southbound on I-93 when, for reasons still under investigation, his vehicle drifted off the right-hand side of the highway.
Moments later, the car crashed and ignited into flames, leaving behind a devastating scene that responders described as intense and difficult to approach.
When troopers and emergency personnel arrived at the site, they discovered that Berg, the sole occupant of the vehicle, had succumbed to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities from the New Hampshire State Police Troop F unit, along with members of the Ashland Fire Department, responded swiftly to the scene, working to extinguish the blaze and secure the area for investigators.
The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit (CAR Unit) also joined the investigation, working meticulously to determine what may have caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. At this time, officials have not ruled out any potential factors, including speed, fatigue, or possible mechanical failure.
The incident led to temporary lane closures on the southbound side of I-93 as crews worked to investigate and clear debris. Motorists traveling through the area in the early morning hours reported seeing heavy emergency presence and smoke rising from the scene, underscoring the severity of the crash.
Ryan C. Berg’s death has deeply affected the Bristol community, where he was known among friends and family as a kind, driven, and hardworking young man with a promising future ahead.
At just 21 years old, his life was only beginning to unfold, and those who knew him best remember him for his warm personality, sense of humor, and the close relationships he maintained with family and friends.
Authorities continue to ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen Berg’s vehicle before the incident to contact Trooper First Class Jesse Blanchard of the New Hampshire State Police at (603) 223-8494.
