Man Accused Of Driving Drunk, Crashing Into Portsmouth Cruiser

PORTSMOUTH, NH — A Massachusetts man is expected in court next month accused of drunken driving after crashing into a Portsmouth police cruiser on Wednesday.

Around 10:30 p.m., police were at a multi-vehicle crash on Lafayette Road and were diverting traffic onto Constitution Avenue while the incident was being cleared. One cruiser was at the intersection of both roads while the officer was directing traffic, according to Capt. Mike Mahoney. of the Portsmouth Police Department.

“The officer observed a vehicle traveling northbound on Lafayette Road and not slowing,” he said. “The officer tried to signal the operator to stop by hand motions and a flashlight but the vehicle continued north and struck the parked cruiser. The officer was able to run from the area of the cruiser to avoid being struck.”

The vehicle crashed into the police cruiser, causing damage to both vehicles, while also moving the cruiser about 90 degrees from its parked position. The airbags of both vehicles were deployed due to the crash.

Officers spoke with the driver of the vehicle, Scott Richardson, 43, of Gloucester, MA, and after an investigation, he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and negligent driving. A passenger in the vehicle was injured and taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital by the Portsmouth Fire Department.

Richardson is due for arraignment in Portsmouth District Court on Aug. 9.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Portsmouth Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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