Investigators believe there was no connection between the car crash that injured former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and an earlier domestic violence incident he’d assisted with across Interstate 93 in New Hampshire Saturday, state police said Monday.
Footage from troopers’ dashboard and body-worn cameras is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation into what happened, police said. No charges have been filed as the investigation continues — distraction or an interest in the initial scene of the crash is among the possible causes, according to police. Read their full update below.
Also Monday, President Donald Trump announced that Giuliani — a longtime friend and political supporter and his onetime personal attorney — would be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s top civilian honor. In his announcement on social media, the president praised Giuliani as “the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot,” but didn’t address Giuliani’s injuries.
The crash also injured the drivers of both SUVs involved, but none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening, according to the latest statement from New Hampshire State Police, released on Sunday.
A spokesman for Giuliani has said that the crash broke bones in Giuliani’s back and that he’d been recovering after being taken to the hospital. It took place, according to the spokesman, after Giuliani had been flagged by a woman involved in a domestic violence incident, for which he called 911.
Police on Monday said that Guiliani’s driver, Theodore Goodman, reported the domestic violence incident on the highway and that both men waited at the scene to discuss what they’d seen, then exited I-93. They got back on the highway headed in the other direction and were hit “almost directly across from the scene of the reported domestic violence incident on the southbound side,” police said in their statement.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
Giuliani’s son, Trump administration official Andrew Giuliani, offered thanks on Sunday for all the messages he’s received about his father.
Read Monday’s full update from New Hampshire State Police here:
NH STATE POLICE RELEASES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INCIDENT INVOLVING FORMER NYC MAYOR
The New Hampshire State Police is providing additional information regarding a weekend crash involving former New York City Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” Giuliani.
Based on the investigation to date and witness statements that have been gathered, the State Police can confirm that before the crash on I-93 northbound, Giuliani and his driver, Theodore Goodman, were traveling on I-93 southbound when they were flagged down by a woman on the side of the road, just south of Exit 9N, who reported to them she had been involved in a domestic violence incident. Just after 9 p.m., Goodman initially reported the incident to law enforcement, and he and Giuliani remained at the scene until Troopers arrived to investigate. Goodman and Giuliani spoke with the Troopers about what they had witnessed and then left the scene before exiting the interstate at a nearby exit.
Minutes later, Goodman and Giuliani got back on I-93, this time headed northbound, when they were struck from behind at mile marker 23.2, almost directly across from the scene of the reported domestic violence incident on the southbound side. Troopers who were already at the initial scene responded immediately and provided aid.
Investigators believe the driver who struck Goodman and Giuliani had no connection to the initial domestic violence incident. At this time, all aspects of the crash remain under investigation, including whether distraction or curiosity of the initial scene was a factor. No charges have been filed.
Video captured by Troopers’ dashboard and body-worn cameras is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
No additional details are available at this time. The State Police will release updates as appropriate while the investigation continues.
What Giuliani’s spokesman and New Hampshire State Police previously said about the crash
Giuliani spokesman and head of security Michael Ragusa announced Sunday afternoon that the former mayor was hurt in a crash in New Hampshire.
“Prior to the incident, he was flagged down by a woman who was the victim of a domestic violence incident,” he said in the statement. “Mayor Giuliani immediately rendered assistance and contacted 911. He remained on scene until responding officers arrived to ensure her safety.”
Afterward, and back on the highway, Giuliani’s vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle at high speed, Ragusa said, sending him to a trauma center in the area.
Giuliani “was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg,” Ragusa said in the statement.
In a follow-up statement, he said, “This was not a targeted attack. We ask everyone to respect Mayor Giuliani’s privacy and recovery, and refrain from spreading unfounded conspiracy theories.”
Ragusa later in the day told NBC News that Giuliani was “in great spirits following the incident,” was “alert and conscious” and eager to get back to work.
Ragusa sent another statement later Sunday, saying that the unidentified woman who’d flagged Giuliani down was not the victim in the domestic violence investigation — details that officials have not addressed — and that Giuliani’s vehicle, being driven by a member of his staff, was hit from behind after the situation was resolved.
Ragusa told The Associated Press that the crash and the domestic violence incident were “entirely unrelated.”
A police spokesman didn’t have more information to share about that incident on Monday evening.
State police said Sunday afternoon that three people, including Giuliani, were hurt in a crash on I-93 north in Manchester just before 10 p.m. Saturday. Troopers and members of the fire department were already on the highway investigating a report of a domestic violence incident on the southbound side of the highway, and they witnessed what the crash and crossed over to help.
Investigators found that a Honda HR-V being driven by a 19-year-old woman from Concord hit the back of a Ford Bronco carrying Giuliani, who was a passenger, and his driver, police said.
The statement asked anyone with information that might help the investigation to contact Sgt. Mark Dore at 603-223-4381.
