NHSP Have 'Person of Interest' in Turnpike Hit-and-Run Incident

MERRIMACK, NH - New Hampshire State Police believe they have a potential suspect in a hit-and-run incident this weekend in Merrimack that injured a state trooper, according to a press statement.

During the early morning hours of May 22, 2016, Trooper Ryan Hickey was struck after making a traffic stop near Exit 10 in Merrimack and beginning the process of arresting three people, according to investigators. While another trooper was assisting, Hickey was reportedly struck on the left side of his body by an SUV traveling southbound.

The second trooper rendered assistance at the scene while also radioing for backup and offering a description of the vehicle, according to state police.

Lt. N.A. Noyes of the NHSP stated that “numerous leads” connected to the incident were received by the department and within 24 hours, troopers had “identified, located and taken possession of the vehicle involved in this collision and have developed a person of interest,” according to a press statement.

Hickey – who has been on the force for about a year and previously worked two years with the Derry Police Department – remains hospitalized at this time with non-life threatening injuries, according to Noyes.

“The New Hampshire State Police and Trooper Hickey want to thank our communities for the outpouring of support we have received over the past 30 hours,” Noyes stated. “Between the emails, phone calls and comments on social media, the support from our communities has been exceptional. Over the past week, our collective thoughts have been with the men and women of the Manchester NH Police Department as Officers Ryan Hardy and Matthew O’Connor recover from their injuries. Our thoughts are also with the Auburn MA Police Department and the family of Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. and members of the Massachusetts State Police after the incident in Oxford, MA, yesterday.”

Noyes noted that the investigation into the incident is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact state police at 603-223-4381 or email Trooper First Class Christopher Storm at Christopher.storm@dos.nh.gov.

“We again thank everyone for their support to this point and as additional facts develop we will make them available to the media as soon as practical,” Noyes said.

Caption: This morning, New Hampshire State Police update the media about a trooper that was struck on May 22, 2016. Credit: Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photography. FrameofMindPhoto.com.