Crash Into the Contoocook River Leads to DWI Charges

CONCORD, NH — A local woman is lucky to be alive today after crashing her car into a deep section of the Contoocook River while allegedly drunk driving, according to police. Ashley L. Gordon, 31, of Concord, was arrested on Aug. 4, 2016, on three counts of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charges.

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.

Officers were sent to the intersection of Fowler and Washington streets in Penacook for a report of a crash where a vehicle drove into the Contoocook River, according to police. When they arrived, they found the driver – Gordon – out of the water and unharmed, and the car in a deep section of the river right near a dam.

“Officers became suspicious the driver of the car was under the influence of alcohol,” according to Lt. Timothy O’Malley, the commander of the criminal investigations unit for the Concord Police Department.

Gordon was later arrested and released on personal recognizance bail. She’s due in court on Aug. 22.

O’Malley noted this morning that workers were attempting to extract the car from the river.

“It is in close proximity to a dam and is believed to be in very deep water,” he noted in an alert. “Police have been advised that there is no immediate danger to the public however environmental services have been alerted and will be assessing the situation.”