Multiple DWI Arrests By Officers And Troopers Recognized By NH Agency

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety(NHOHS) honored five members of law enforcement Friday to recognize their top performance in getting intoxicated drivers off the road.

“This elite group of officers and Troopers represents the top performing members of law enforcement in the state, who have worked tirelessly toward this very important effort,” said NHOHS Program Manager John Clegg.

From 2019 to 2022, 151 people died in crashes involving impairment in New Hampshire, which brings focus to the importance of getting impaired drivers off the road.

“Every DWI arrest made by these dedicated individuals represents a potential crash that could have occurred and a life that could have been lost. Their contributions to highway safety do not go unrecognized, and we thank them for keeping our roads safe and protecting us all. They are all true heroes.”

118 people were killed in crashes statewide in 2021, with 70.3 percent of those crashes being alcohol and/or drug-related. Included in the 2021, 26 of the fatalities were motorcyclists, half of those motorcycle crashes involved impairment

146 people died in 2022 in New Hampshire, with 65.8 percent of those crashes being alcohol and/or drug-related.

This year, as of Dec. 27, 127 people have been killed in New Hampshire crashes, the percentage involving impairment is awaiting toxicology reports.

This year 56 of the people killed were operating the vehicle, and 40 of those operators were not wearing seatbelts. 17 of the total people killed were 71 or older, and 3 were under the age of 21.

Year to date, 37 motorcycle operators and three motorcycle passengers also died; 31 victims of the 40 motorcycle deaths were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash, police said. Fifteen pedestrians, a bicyclist, and a moped operator were killed year to date this year.

The awards were presented to two State Troopers and three police officers by New Hampshire Department of Safety Assistant Commissioner Eddie Edwards. The following State Troopers and police officers received awards:

• Trooper James Lamoureux, New Hampshire State Police
• Trooper William Moran, New Hampshire State Police
• Officer Justin Takesian, Kingston Police Department
• Officer Chloe Robidas, Durham Police Department
• Lt. William Daisey, Northumberland Police Department

“This elite group of officers and Troopers represents the top performing members of law enforcement in the state, who have worked tirelessly toward this very important effort,” said NHOHS Program Manager John Clegg. “Every DWI arrest made by these dedicated individuals represents a potential crash that could have occurred and a life that could have been lost. Their contributions to highway safety do not go unrecognized, and we thank them for keeping our roads safe and protecting us all. They are all true heroes.”

The NHOHS awards grants to local, county, and state agencies to improve highway safety and reduce deaths and serious injuries due to crashes using funding provided by The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the federal fiscal year 2023, the NHTSA awarded the State of New Hampshire more than $2 Million to combat impaired driving.