Friends Organize Fundraiser to Support Teen Injured in Route 9 Crash

Carter Howard was seriously injured on June 20 when the 1997 Jeep Wrangler he was driving left Route 9 east of the Route 10 intersection and overturned. According to Keene Police, Howard was ejected from the vehicle and was the only occupant.

Howard was taken by ambulance to Cheshire Medical Center before being flown by helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon for treatment of his injuries. The crash closed Route 9 for about 3½ hours while members of the Keene Police Department’s Collision Analysis Team investigated. Police have said speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The day after the crash, Jackson Yager and a group of Howard’s friends came together to create a GoFundMe campaign to help ease the financial burden on Howard’s family as he begins what they expect will be a lengthy recovery. The fundraiser will help with medical expenses and other challenges the family may face while focusing on Howard’s healing.

“Carter is alive and fighting every day to get better,” Yager said in a message shared with MyKeeneNow. “Anyone who knows Carter knows he is incredibly strong, determined, and a fighter. We have every confidence that he’ll continue to fight through this with the support of those who care about him.”

At the family’s request, friends are keeping details about Howard’s current medical condition private. They said he has a long road to recovery ahead and remains surrounded by his family, who are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support, kindness and prayers from the community.

The fundraiser has a goal of raising $20,000. Friends are encouraging anyone who is able to make a donation to do so, but they say simply sharing the GoFundMe with family, friends and on social media can also make a meaningful difference by helping the campaign reach more people.

Those wishing to donate or share the fundraiser can visit: https://gofund.me/bb6e96e77.