Pair Arrested by NHSP After Concord Traffic Stop

Two local men are due in court in October after a traffic stop on Rockingham Street in Concord led to them being arrested, according to New Hampshire State Police.

Michael T. Chouinard, 23, of Northwood, pictured left, was arrested on Aug. 13, 2015, and charged with driving while intoxicated, subsequent offense and driving while under suspension, pursuant to a conviction for driving while intoxicated. Edward P. O’Brien, 21, of Chichester, was also arrested and charged with allowing an improper person to operate his vehicle, along with hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire State Police. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.

According to state police, a vehicle with its high beams on driving on Rockingham Street near Broadway reportedly failed to dim its lights when the cruiser approached so she conducted a traffic stop.

The trooper approached the driver, Chouinard, and attempted to determine whether or not he was impaired, according to a report. After field sobriety tests, he was arrested.

“Chouinard was unable to produce a license and provided a false name and date of birth,” according to Sgt. William Graham of the NHSP. “His deception was short lived. (The) trooper determined Chouinard’s true identity and learned that his license was under suspension. He had been convicted in the Concord District Court of driving while intoxicated in May 2015.”

Chouinard was transported to the Troop D barracks and allegedly blew more than 0.08 in a breath test.

The car, according to NHSP, was registered to O’Brien, and he allegedly knew that Chouinard had a suspended license but let him drive anyway. He also reportedly helped him hide his license so he was arrested and charged.

Both men are due in Concord District Court on Oct. 2.

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