NH State Police Arrest Mass. Men on DWI Charges

Two Massachusetts men will be facing driving charges in Concord District Court later this month after being nabbed by state troopers on New Hampshire highways over the weekend.

In separate incidents, John Byron, 31, of Lowell, was charged with driving while intoxicated and disobeying a police officer, and Paul Jopling, of Pepperell, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated.

On Aug. 10, around 9 a.m., dispatch received a report of a Chevrolet Envoy traveling south on I-93 in Canterbury that was “drifting back and forth between the lanes and nearly hitting the guardrails.” A trooper reportedly saw the vehicle while parked in a median near Exit 17 and alleged that the vehicle was driving erratically on the road.

The trooper followed the SUV and later, attempted to stop it, but the driver allegedly ignored the request, reportedly weaving back and forth on the highway. 

The trooper continued to follow the vehicle while other troopers coordinated to set up spike strips to stop the SUV after the open road toll lane in Hooksett.

“The safety of the motoring public remained the primary objective while trying to stop the truck,” Lt. Gregory Ferry said in a statement.

The spike strips were deployed and the SUV’s left side tires struck the spikes, according to a report. The vehicle eventually rolled to a stop near the interchange with I-293.

Byron was then arrested and charged.

Later in the day, around 7:30 p.m., troopers in Concord received a report of a Ford Edge traveling south on I-89, being driven in “an erratic manner.” The troopers later located the vehicle on Clinton Street, and began to watch the vehicle, and allegedly confirmed it was driving erratically.

The vehicle was pulled over and after conducting an investigation, the trooper determined that Jopling was allegedly impaired and he was arrested and charged.

Jopling was released on $2,500 personal recognizance bail and is due in court on Aug. 26. Byron is also due in court on Aug. 26.