MANCHESTER, NH – At approximately 3 p.m. Manchester Police and 911 started receiving calls of a man reportedly driving with a needle in his mouth spotted on the East Side of the city in a Silver Doge Charger with New York plates. The driver was allegedly hitting cars, snow banks, telephone poles, and running people off the road. Up to 30 calls came in reporting the wild ride, and the vehicle going the wrong way down one way streets. Police could not immediately locate the vehicle until it returned to one of the original accidents.
An officer at the scene attempted to stop the vehicle when the operator accelerated towards the officer who jumped to safety. Police then began a pursuit across Lincoln Street to Manchester Street where the vehicle struck two parked cars. The driver fled the vehicle and a foot pursuit began and ended quickly as the driver was taken in to custody.
He was tackled and put in a transport vehicle. The responding police van was heading north on Maple Street when a pick up truck failed to yield and collided with the wagon. The officers in the wagon were shook up and were sent to the hospital for a check up.
The cruiser at the scene of the arrest began to transport the suspect in custody when they had to pull over due to the suspect being unconscious. A crew from AMR was called and after treating him the driver he became out of control and combative. He was eventually restrained and transported to the Elliot Hospital.
The vehicle was apparently stolen approx 1.5 hours before the pursuit began.
Police said the driver has warrants for his arrest, was driving under suspension, and on probation.
More information will be made available following his booking at police headquarters.