Mass. man drunken drove, sped at over 100 mph prior to crash at N.H. toll plaza, police say
Rockland resident Tyler Murphy has been charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and resisting arrest in connection with the incident, State Police said in a press release Thursday.
On July 17 around 6:20 a.m., New Hampshire State Police responded to a report that a white, four-door sedan with Massachusetts plates was driving erratically on I-93 north in Londonderry, State Police said. The car was seen changing lanes aggressively, passing cars in the breakdown lane and speeding at over 100 mph.
About an hour later, State Police received additional reports of a car matching the description of the sedan exhibiting similar dangerous driving behaviors while traveling south on I-93 in Northfield, State Police said. Troopers again responded to the area to try to find the car.
At 7:44 a.m., a single-vehicle crash was reported on I-93 south in Hooksett, State Police said. Troopers responded and found that a white Audi S4 had crashed into the center barrier between the open road toll lanes and the cash toll booths at the toll plaza.
Troopers also learned the Audi caught fire following the crash, but that the driver — who was later identified as Murphy — was able to get out on his own, State Police said. Several drivers who passed the scene stopped to offer medical aid and helped extinguish the fire.
Troopers soon noticed that Murphy was displaying signs of alcohol impairment, State Police said. He was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later arrested.
Murphy is scheduled to appear in Hooksett District Court on Aug. 7, State Police said. State Police ask that anyone with information related to this incident contact Trooper Jacob Plourde at (603) 451-9329 or Jacob.J.Plourde@DOS.NH.GOV.
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