Hit-And-Run In A U-Haul Truck Leads To Multi-Community Seacoast Chase

NORTH HAMPTON, NH — A man from Maine was arrested on aggravated drugged driving and other charges after a multi-community chase after a hit-and-run crash Thursday.

Around 7:15 a.m., New Hampshire State Police dispatch reported a U-Haul pickup truck colliding with a guardrail on Route 101 in Raymond and then fleeing the scene. About 10 minutes later, troopers found the truck driving west on Route 101 in Hampton and tried to stop the vehicle.

“As troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle continued onto Route 1 south and eventually came to a stop,” Amber Lagace, a public information officer for the department, said. “While troopers approached the vehicle on foot, the vehicle fled at which time troopers initiated a pursuit.”

The troopers chased the pickup all over the Seacoast, she said — from Hampton, to Interstate 95 north through North Hampton, Greenland, and Portsmouth, and onto Route 16, from Portsmouth, Newington, and Dover.

“During the course of the pursuit, the vehicle traveled at excessive rates of speed, failed to maintain a single lane of travel, disobeyed traffic control devices, and executed an illegal U-turn,” Lagace said. “At one point along the Interstate 95 corridor, the vehicle traveled across a grass median to reverse direction. Additionally, the vehicle collided with another motorist resulting in minor property damage, and fled the scene.”

The chase continued through Portsmouth and into North Hampton on Route 1 south. The vehicle then began driving on side streets, and a state police helicopter assisted troopers on the ground in finding and following the pickup truck. North Hampton police officers were able to deploy tire deflation devices and successfully deflated all four vehicle tires, she said.

The truck was stopped on Hobbs Road in North Hampton, and the driver, Justin B. Digaetano, 32, of Portland, Maine, was questioned and accused of being under the influence of drugs. He also had his driving privileges suspended, Lagace said, and had an active warrant from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office for failing to appear in court on a felony receiving stolen property charge.

Digaetano was taken to the hospital for evaluation and later charged with felony reckless conduct as well as aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, disobeying an officer, operating after suspension, driving without giving proof, conduct after an accident, and resisting arrest or detention. He refused bail and is being held in the county jail. Digaetano is expected to be arraigned in Rockingham County Superior Court on Friday.

According to Lagace, the truck was impounded, and a search warrant was requested. Additional charges, she said, were expected.

Troopers were assisted by North Hampton, Hampton, and Portsmouth police, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, North Hampton firefighters, and Dave’s Garage towing.

Anyone with information about this investigation was asked to contact Trooper Parker at Seth.W.Parker@dos.nh.gov.

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