NH DWI Patrol Nets 4, Police Say

PORTSMOUTH, NH — A New Hampshire police patrol targeting intoxicated drivers netted two individuals on DWI charges, one individual on a drug possession charge and another for allegedly driving after license suspension. The patrol was held Friday night in parts of Portsmouth, Newington, Greenland and Rye, according to New Hampshire State Police Lieutenant John Hennessey. Officers stopped 147 vehicles, arrested four individuals and cited 12 others for various driving violations.

Michael Keefe, 49, of Portsmouth, and Kylee Hersey, 33, of Amesbury, were charged with DWI. An unidentified juvenile was charged with drug possession and Meghan McKee, 33, of Newington, was charged with driving after suspension.

Police announced the patrol Sunday. Officers with State Police, Portsmouth police, Newington police, Greenland police and the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department participated.

"This initiative is designed to combat the on-going issue of impaired driving," State Police Colonel Christopher Wagner said in a statement. "Although State and local police work tirelessly against this issue on a daily and nightly basis, the project will allow a larger contingency of officers and Troopers to focus solely on the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers."

Wagner added, "As the summer months persist, the New Hampshire State Police would like to encourage all motorists to make safe decisions and remind everyone that the problem of impaired driving is a preventable one."

State Police said a DWI checkpoint will be held in the coming weeks in Portsmouth; the date has not been announced. The checkpoint was originally set for late July but it was was canceled due to heavy rain.

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• Portsmouth DWI Patrol This Week: Police
• Portsmouth Drunken-Driving Checkpoint Announced

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