Mass. Man, Driving 98 mph on I-93, Bagged on Second DWI: NHSP

CONCORD, NH — A Bay State man is due in court in March after a drunk driving arrest on I-93 in New Hampton this morning, according to state police. William Mullen, 58, of Peabody, MA, was arrested on Feb. 11, 2017, for driving while intoxicated-subsequent, disobeying a police officer, reckless operation, operating after suspension, and open container.

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

According to New Hampshire State Police, at just before 11:30 a.m., the department’s Special Enforcement Unit was called to the town of New Hampton for a report of a motor vehicle collision during this morning’s snowstorm. Speeds on I-93 were at 45 mph due to the storm, according to Lt. Sean Haggerty of the NHSP.

“While responding to the crash, (a trooper) observed a vehicle traveling at a very high rate of speed catching up from behind,” Haggerty noted in a press statement. “As the vehicle passed (the cruiser) in the left lane it came upon another vehicle and nearly struck it from behind. The operator of the suspect vehicle slammed on his brakes, lost control on the snow-covered roadway, careened to the right directly in front of (the cruiser), and struck the snowbank, which sent the vehicle back into the left travel lane.”

The driver – later identified as Mullen – reportedly regained control of his vehicle and sped off, allegedly attaining speeds of 98 mph. The trooper caught up to Mullen due to slow vehicle traffic ahead caused by the collision the trooper was heading to.

“(The trooper) had his lights and siren activated and attempted to stop the suspect vehicle but it refused and continued traveling northbound speeding away from the crash scene it had been forced to slow down for,” according to Sgt. Christopher Storm of the NHSP. “The vehicle continued north for another mile and a half before finally coming to a stop ending the menacing driving behavior.”

During an investigation of Mullen, the trooper alleged that he was impaired by alcohol and had suspended privileges in New Hampshire, according to the press statement.

Mullen was arrested, processed, and released. He’s due in Laconia District Court on March 9.