N.H. Man Charged With Drunken Driving And Crashing Into Merrimac Home

MERRIMAC -- A 41-year-old Derry, N.H. man is facing a drunken-driving charge and a bevy of motor-vehicle charges after Merrimac police say Matthew Benoit was driving drunk when he drove off the road, through a parking lot and into a house earlier this month.

Benoit has been charged with: Wanton Destruction of Property Over $250; Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol; Speeding; Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle; Failure to Stop for a Police Officer; and Marked Lanes Violation.

Merrimac police allege that aroundr 8 p.m. on Feb. 4, an officer was stationed at the Merrimac Police Department at 16 East Main St. saw a dark-colored 2007 Honda minivan with its hazard lights on speeding east on East Main Street.

The officer tried to stop the Honda in the area of 117 East Main St., but the vehicle accelerated and continued toward the Merrimac Liquors plaza at 123 East Main St. The vehicle did not make any attempts to stay in the roadway and drove straight into the parking lot of Merrimac Liquors.

The motor vehicle crashed into two concrete barriers and a cage containing residential propane tanks at Merrimac Liquors before rolling over several times through the parking lot, a wooden guard rail, a fence and then over a wall and into the side of an unoccupied residential home.

Benoit was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and then later flown by medical helicopter to a Boston area hospital with serious injuries, where he is currently recovering

He will be summonsed to Newburyport District Court at a later date.

Courtesy photos by Merrimac Police Department.