Drunk Mass. Man Hit 130 mph Struck Concrete, Went Airborne: NHSP

EXETER, NH - New Hampshire State Police arrested a Massachusetts man this morning for allegedly drunk driving after a crash on Route 101.

Kenneth Coogan, 29, of Amesbury, MA, was arrested on Jan. 24, 2016, and charged with driving while intoxicate-subsequent offense, reckless conduct, reckless operation, and disobeying a police officer.

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.

At just before 1 a.m., a New Hampshire State Troop was driving east on Route 101 near the Epping weigh station when he was passed by a black 2012 Acura TSX traveling “well in excess of 100 mph,” according to Sgt. John Hennessey of the NHSP.

The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver – later identified as Coogan – allegedly refused to stop. A pursuit ensued and as the Acura approached Exit 9, allegedly reaching about 130 mph, according the Hennessey, “the driver failed to negotiate the right-hand turn at the top of the ramp and struck the concrete island separating the east and westbound lanes of Route 27.”

After striking the island, the vehicle went airborne across the westbound lanes of Route 27 and struck a guardrail. The vehicle then continued about 100 feet down an embankment, according to the report.

Coogan was arrested and transported to Exeter Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

At the scene, Hennessey added, Exeter Police, Exeter Fire and Rescue teams, North Hampton Fire and Rescue teams, as well as Al’s Automotive of Exeter, all assisted.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Trooper George Sanborn of Troop A at 603-223-8532.