Arrests Made In Fatal Kingston Hit-And-Run Bike Crash Case

CONCORD, NH — A Dover man and his wife face charges after the death of a retired Hudson police sergeant in a bicycle accident in Kingston on Tuesday.

Craig Sprowl, 45, of Central Avenue in Dover was arrested on Friday on negligent homicide and conduct after an accident charges, both felonies, accused of killing Donna Briggs, 59, of Derry, a former Hudson police sergeant, who was struck on Route 125 while riding a bicycle. Angela Sprowl, 39, of Rochester was arrested on domestic violence-stalking and hindering apprehension charges.

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Briggs was out for a ride when she was hit around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. When she did not return from the ride, a search was conducted and her body was found around 8:30 p.m. near New Boston Road.

According to a New Hampshire State Police affidavit, investigators discovered a part serial number from the debris which led investigators to identify the vehicle as a 2000 to 2006 GMC Yukon. Investigators also looked at surveillance video footage from area businesses and found the vehicle to be dark blue in color. The video also showed the SUV with serious front-end damage.

Investigators also spoke with witnesses. One said it appeared as if the driver was littering and threw a bike on the side of the road. Later, the witness realized it could have been related to the crash information published in the news. Another witness reported seeing Briggs riding and passing her. A vehicle behind him, however, drove into the right breakdown lane and struck the bicyclist. The witness tried to get a picture with his cellphone but was unable to as another vehicle pulled up close to his vehicle. He reported the Yukon pulling a U-turn and driving in the opposite direction. The witness then saw a police officer, pulled over, and reported the crash to the officer, the affidavit stated.

A state police equipment inspector searched for 2002 to 2007 Yukons in Rockingham County and only found one. The owner was called and found to be a former owner. The owner sold the vehicle to Top Line Motor Sports in Derry.

The investigator spoke to one of the owners of Top Line who confirmed he bought the vehicle. He said he sold the vehicle to a man named “Craig” who worked for a detailing shop in Rochester.

The investigator searched records and found an accident report by Derry police from Sept. 15 involving a Chevrolet Silverado where Craig Sprowl was driving and crashed into a tree, according to an affidavit. The dealer plate on the vehicle was traced back to Top Line Motor Sports in Derry. Craig Sprowl told the officer he was “traveling back to Top Line Motor Sports, which he identified as the place where he works,” the affidavit stated. Craig Sprowl was living at the Day’s Inn in Rochester, the report said.

Surveillance footage at the motel showed Craig Sprowl “coming and going” with the SUV for several weeks, with the vehicle last seen on Tuesday. A witness at the motel told state police Craig Sprowl was “driving multiple vehicles” and was changing plates at night and keeping them in his room, the report stated.

On Thursday, state police tracked down both Craig Sprowl and Angela Sprowl in a minivan in Portsmouth. Craig Sprowl, according to state police, denied driving the Yukon on Tuesday, at first. Later, the affidavit stated, he admitted to driving the SUV, nodding off in Dover and Lee, and drifting off the side of the road on Route 125, and striking something. He “came to by either the sound of the rumble strips or a bang,” noticed the front-end damage, but was “unsure of what he had struck,” the report stated.

After arriving at Top Line Motor Sports for work, he parked the SUV around the corner of the building, leaving the keys inside, the report said.

Craig Sprowl, the report stated, asked about the news report and whether or not he had killed Briggs, while expressing remorse and apologies.

On Thursday, state police continued to communicate with Craig Sprowl and accused him of lying about his location. He stated he was in “various locations in Massachusetts,” while troopers were tailing him, the report said.

A search warrant was issued for Top Line Motor Sports and the vehicle was found.

“A piece of a bicycle seat (was) located within the front-end of the blue GMC Yukon,” the report stated.

During his arraignment, Patricia Conway, the county attorney, read over a litany of prior charges Craig Sprowl has been convicted and accused of including numerous drug, assault, burglary, theft, arson, and violation of probation charges across 25 years in both New Hampshire, Maine, and Florida.

Defense Attorney Deanna Campbell said Craig Sprowl had health issues and seizure disorders, and was in the hospital for treatment. She said he completed drug treatment. Campbell said Craig Sprowl had a full-time job at an auto detailer and put in long hours. She suggested he was probably “burning the candle at both ends” and was “working very hard in the community to address his issues.”

A Rockingham County judge ordered Craig Sprowl held on preventative detention.

Angela Sprowl will be arraigned in Portsmouth District Court on Monday.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire State Police and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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