Concord Man with Revoked License Flees DWI Crash: Cops

CONCORD, NH — A local man is due in court next week on drunk driving and other charges after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash last month, according to police. Matthew E. Hoekstra, 39, of North State Street in Concord, was arrested at 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2016, for driving while intoxicated, driving after revocation or suspension, and two counts of conduct after an accident, one of them a felony.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

At just before 7:30 p.m., officers and Concord Fire and Rescue teams were sent to a motor vehicle crash with injury where one of the drivers had reportedly fled the scene. A description of the man – white, heavy set, in a hat – was taken and witnesses alleged that he had ran to Stickney Avenue near the NH DOT building. The reporting officer checked the area but didn’t find anyone.

After speaking to dispatch, officers learned that the owner of the vehicle – a Volvo – lived on North State Street. A state police trooper and sergeant from Concord headed to the address along with the officer but no one was at the home.

While at the scene, a cab driver pulled up with a woman in the backseat. She told officers that she had just left the crash scene and was getting a ride home. She allegedly stated that Hoekstra had been driving her vehicle and was her boyfriend, according to the arrest report. She reportedly stated that Hoekstra was supposed to fix her car while she was in Boston and he had just picked her up at the bus station before the accident.

Officers asked to look inside the apartment for him and she reportedly gave consent to search the apartment but her key was not working. They were eventually able to gain entry but Hoekstra was not in the building, according to the report.

They continued to question the woman about why he would run from the crash scene and she allegedly stated that he didn’t have a license, was out on probation, and had been drinking, according to the report. When asked if she had given him permission to use the vehicle, she allegedly stated, “No,” because he didn’t have a license and he was only supposed to fix the vehicle for her, according to the report.

Neighbors spoke with police and alleged that Hoekstra had left the residence in the vehicle. At just before 8 p.m., another neighbor approached police and stated that he may have seen Hoekstra on Bouton Street. Police searched the area but were unable to find him, according to the report.

At about 8:15 p.m., police were at the residence and reportedly saw Hoekstra walking toward one of the apartments.

“When I made contact with him I could smell a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his mouth,” the reporting officer alleged. “He had red glassy eyes, slurred speech, and he was also unsteady on his feet. I attempted to speak with him about the car accident and he was argumentative with me and he claimed he had been in the cemetery by his residence the entire time. He also claimed he had been by the back side of his house the entire time.”

After a pat down, the officer realized that Hoekstra didn’t have any keys and was asked how he left the address without a key. Hoekstra allegedly stalled for an answer while yelling loudly at the woman about wanting a cigarette, according to the report.

“I didn’t cause any accident and I wasn’t driving,” he allegedly stated.

Hoekstra was arrested and the officer alleged that he was unsteady on his feet walking to the cruiser, and into headquarters, and was slurring his words.

After processing, the reporting officer spoke to an officer working the crash scene who stated that one person was transported to Concord Hospital with a hip injury and chest pains.