"I was saddened and concerned to hear about the serious accident that occurred last night in New Hampshire in which four Secret Service agents were injured and a passenger in a second car killed,"Hillary Clinton said. | AP Photo Clinton sends condolences to 4 Secret Service agents injured in fatal car crash

Hillary Clinton on Wednesday extended her condolences to four Secret Service agents who were injured Tuesday night in a fatal car accident in New Hampshire.

"I was saddened and concerned to hear about the serious accident that occurred last night in New Hampshire in which four Secret Service agents were injured and a passenger in a second car killed," Clinton said in a statement. "My husband and I send our prayers and condolences to all the victims and their families. We are grateful everyday for the service, dedication, and professionalism of the U.S. Secret Service."


The Clinton campaign referred questions about whether the agents were part of the former secretary of state's detail to the Secret Service. Robert Hoback, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said, "It's unclear yet if they were en route, or if they had just finished up — but they were there on official business related to Hillary events."

Clinton was making a final push in New Hampshire to close out the year, traveling through 10 inches of snow and icy roads from Portsmouth to the northernmost town of Berlin to participate in two town hall meetings. Her supporters noted how hard she was fighting and that, in contrast, Jeb Bush canceled his Peterborough event because of the snow.

Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy said in a statement that the four agents were "on official duty in New Hampshire" when they were struck by another vehicle that crossed the double yellow lines. He said the agents sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, Bruce Danforth, died in the accident, according to state and local police.

At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Wakefield Police Chief Ken Fifeld said Danforth, 45, was driving without a valid driver's license and had an extensive criminal history. State Police Lt. Kevin Duffy added that Danforth appeared to be attempting to pass a car driving in the same lane when the accident occurred. The weather conditions, they noted, included snow and sleet, and Fifeld said "the snow surface was covered with an icy mix."

Duffy emphasized that preliminary findings suggested there was "no improper driving" by the Secret Service agents and a blood analysis on Danforth wouldn't be complete for two to three months.

Police said the Secret Service agents were treated at Frisbie Memorial Hospital outside of Portsmouth but could not release their names or updates on their condition, directing further questions to the Secret Service press office. Two passengers with Danforth were injured in the accident, they noted.

The crash took place on New Hampshire’s Route 16, and the agents were driving a Ford Taurus.

Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.