Merrimack Valley Man Faces OUI Charges After Chase, Crash in Salem

PELHAM, NH — A Haverhill man will face aggravated drunken-driving charges after he allegedly led police on a chase that ended when the driver crashed his car and was partially ejected on Route 38 in Salem early Sunday morning. The driver, a 41-year-old Haverhill man whose identity has not been released, was transported to Lawrence General Hospital following the 1 a.m. crash after he was partially ejected from the vehicle, according to police.

Police say in a press release that Officer Adam Thistle was conducting enforcement under a Driving Under the Influence Grant when he spotted a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country make a wide turn from Old Gage Hill Road onto Route 38, crossing into the wrong lane as part of the turn.

Thistle attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to pull over. The vehicle continued to have difficulty remaining in its lane. Once the vehicle crossed into Salem, the operator began to accelerate. At this point the Salem Police Department was notified.

As the operator accelerated he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a construction site just south of Stiles Road, police state. The operator was partially ejected from the vehicle as a result of the accident. He was transported to Lawrence General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries by the Salem Fire Department.

Pelham and Salem Police Departments will file charges charges including, Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, Driving Under the Influence Subsequent Offense, Driving, Driving Under the Influence, Disobeying an Officer, Reckless Operation, Yellow Line Violation and Driving After Suspension.

Courtesy photo by Pelham Police.