Teen Allegedly Flees Accident Scene, Leaving Three Seriously Injured

Update (7:40 p.m. Wednesday): Jeffrey Mason, who was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly leaving the scene of a serious accident that left three injured, one with serious head trauma, was arraigned at Merrimack District Court late in the day and held on $20,000 cash or surety bail. He has a probable cause hearing scheduled for Monday, May 6, at Merrimack District Court.

Mason was booked earlier Wednesday on felony counts of conduct after a motor vehicle accident; driving while intoxicated, reckless conduct; disobeying an officer; and burglary; as well as a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest or detention.

Orginal Story: A 19-year-old Deerfield man is under arrest and facing multiple charges associated with an early-morning accident that sent three people to the hospital, one with serious head trauma.

At approximately 12:12 a.m., Bedford Police Officer Thomas McAuliffe observed a vehicle being driven erratically near the intersection of Liberty Hill Road and County Road. McAuliffe followed the vehicle as it proceeded north on Liberty Hill Road and attempted to stop it at the intersection of Liberty Hill Road and Meetinghouse Road for multiple motor vehicle violations.

The vehicle, however, sped north a short distance on Liberty Hill Road before it struck a telephone pole and stone wall near the intersection of Route 101.

The driver of the vehicle fled from the scene, leaving three injured passengers behind.

One of the passengers sustained serious head trauma and two passengers were ejected from the vehicle.

Bedford officers, with assistance from a New Hampshire State Police K-9 team, began tracking the driver and continued searching until approximately 3:30 a.m. when an alarm was received for an unoccupied residence on Buttonwood Drive.

Upon investigation, officers detected evidence that indicated the person that forcibly entered the home may have been the person wanted in connection with the motor vehicle accident.

Police said that at approximately 6:45 a.m., Jeffrey Mason, 19, of Deerfield, the alleged driver of the vehicle – who is also suspected in the break-in – was arrested on Meetinghouse Road near the Route 101 ramp by a Hillsborough County Deputy Sheriff after Mason was initially observed by an assisting New Hampshire State Trooper.

Mason is being charged with felony counts of conduct after a motor vehicle accident; driving while intoxicated, reckless conduct; disobeying an officer; and burglary; as well as a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest or detention.

He is currently being treated in a local hospital.

The Bedford Police Department said it is also investigating an underage drinking party that is likely connected with this matter. This case remains under investigation by the Bedford Police Department.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Bedford Police Department at 472-5113.