Police Say ‘Grinch’ OK After Crash At The Word Barn On Newfields Road In Exeter

EXETER, NH — Exeter police are investigating a crash on Newfields Road on Christmas night involving a local man dressed as the Grinch.

Just past 5:45 p.m., police and fire and rescue teams were sent to the area of Captain’s Way and Newfields for a crash. When they arrived, they found a Honda CR-V off to the side of the roadway after the driver, later identified as Jon C. Williamson, 31, of Exeter, crashed into the sign and mailbox of The Word Barn. The driver, police noted, was dressed in a Grinch costume, standing outside the SUV.

The SUV had significant front-end damage, a smashed windshield, and a broken rear driver’s side window. Several lights along the path to the front yard of an address on Newfields were also found.

Williamson denied injury but was eyed by EMTs and taken to Exeter Hospital, Exeter Police Chief Stephan Poulin said. The chief added it appeared Williamson was driving south when he became distracted at the curve in the road and crashed.

“This was certainly a unique situation,” Poulin said. “Officers never expected to arrive at the scene to find that an operator was wearing a Grinch suit behind the wheel. But it was Christmas night, so not entirely outside the realm of possibility. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt.”

The CR-V was towed by New England Truck Center and the crash remains under investigation.

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