EXETER — A Brentwood man is facing charges of driving under the influence and reckless conduct after leading police on a high-speed chase on Route 101 that resulted in a state police trooper being involved in a rollover crash.
State police said the pursuit began at 11:10 p.m. Friday after Trooper Shane McClure of the Troop A barracks observed a 2018 Toyota Camry traveling westbound at 131 mph near Exit 11, where the posted speed limit was 65 mph.
Michael P. Holt, 56, of Brentwood, is facing charges of reckless conduct, disobeying an officer, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs or liquor, conduct after an accident, and criminal mischief.
McClure, according to police, followed and activated his emergency lights but the Toyota continued west at a high rate of speed on Epping Road (Route 27) in Exeter.
“While continuing to pursue, Trooper McClure was involved in a rollover crash near the intersection of Epping Road and Old Town Farm Road,” state police stated in a press release. “Other Troopers, along with members of the Exeter police and fire departments, responded to the crash scene to assist Trooper McClure while additional troopers searched the area for the eluding driver of the Toyota.”
McClure was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was eventually discharged.
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At approximately 11:25 p.m., state police troopers located the Toyota on Middle Road in Brentwood. However, the driver failed to stop, and the pursuit continued, according to state police. Troopers successfully deployed tire deflation devices as the driver turned onto Deer Hill Road, but despite multiple deflated tires, the driver continued back to Route 101 westbound.
Near Exit 7, the driver of the Toyota made a U-turn and began driving eastbound in the westbound lanes, heading directly toward the pursuing troopers. As the troopers attempted to stop the driver from continuing the wrong way into oncoming traffic, the driver reversed direction again and continued westbound.
Near Exit 6, state police reported that the driver lost control of the Toyota, veering off the right shoulder before rolling over into the woods. Troopers surrounded the vehicle, made contact with the driver, broke a window, and ordered the suspect out of the car. The driver, later determined to be the sole occupant, complied and was taken into custody.
The driver of the Toyota was identified as Michael P. Holt, 56, of Brentwood. Holt was charged with three counts of felony reckless conduct and misdemeanor counts of disobeying an officer, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs or liquor, conduct after an accident, and criminal mischief. Holt was also cited for a violation of reckless operation, as well as numerous other violations.
Holt was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for a precautionary evaluation and was later discharged. After being processed, Holt was held in preventative detention at the Rockingham County Jail, pending a court appearance in Brentwood District Court on Monday, Jan. 6.
Route 101 westbound was closed between Exit 7 and Exit 6 for approximately two hours. Troopers were assisted with the pursuit and ensuing investigation by members of the Exeter Police Department, Newmarket Police Department, Epping Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, Raymond Police Department, Exeter Fire Department, Epping Fire Department, and Brentwood Fire & Rescue.
State police said all aspects of the incident remain under investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Sgt. Matthew Locke at Matthew.T.Locke@DOS.NH.GOV or Trooper Matthew Dushame at Matthew.T.Dushame@DOS.NH.GOV.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH man faces DUI charges after Route 101 pursuit leads to trooper crash