Salem Man Arrested After I-93, I-89 Pursuit in NH

A Salem, NH, man will be arraigned later this morning on numerous charges after allegedly leading state police on a chase through the southern and central parts of New Hampshire, according to a press statement. Christopher O’Dwyer, 42, of Salem, was arrested on Oct. 12, 2016, and charged with receiving stolen property and reckless conduct, both felonies, as well as disobeying an officer and conduct after an accident.

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 after 11 p.m. last night, a state police captain attempted to stop at 2011 GMC pickup truck with Massachusetts plates that allegedly was speeding on I-93 North.

The vehicle, according to the report, flew through a construction zone in Londonderry at around 95 mph. The pursuit continued north on I-93 as the pickup truck allegedly drove at speeds as high as 115 mph.

In Hooksett, troopers attempted to deploy spike strips through the open tolling lane to try and stop the vehicle but were unsuccessful. They also learned that the pickup truck was reportedly stolen out of Boston, MA, according to the report.

“A second attempt to deploy tire deflation devices on the vehicle’s tires near the I-89 junction was also unsuccessful,” according to Capt. Gregory Ferry of the NHSP. “The truck entered I-89 north after passing a vehicle by way of the grass shoulder on the ramp. A trooper successfully deployed tire deflation devices on the vehicle’s front tires prior to Exit 2; however, Mr. O’Dwyer still refused to stop.”

On I-89 in Concord, the vehicle reportedly began to veer on the highway, striking a media Jersey barrier but continued at speeds of between 60 and 100 mph. State police alleged that O’Dwyer kept driving on the rims of the vehicle while tire debris was strewn across the highway.

Sparks from the rims allegedly started several small brush fires in New London and firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish them.

The pursuit ended, according to Ferry, in Enfield after the pickup truck finally stopped and O’Dwyer was arrested.

“There were no reported injuries and one state police cruiser sustained minor damage as a result of driving over tire debris,” Ferry added.

O’Dwyer refused bail and will be arrainged this morning.

The New Hampshire State Police were assisted by troopers from Troop B, Troop D, as well as the New London, Sutton, Bradford, and Sunapee police departments and the New London Fire Department.

According to a report from November 2012, O’Dwyer was arrested in Salem for criminal mischief and domestic violence.