Merrimack Cops, NH State Troopers, Others Team Up For Turnpike Saturation Patrol

MERRIMACK, NH — A crash, an arrest, and 55 vehicle stops.

That is what Merrimack police, New Hampshire State Police, and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office employees dealt with during a four-hour period on Monday as part of an Everett Turnpike enforcement.

Between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m., law enforcement personnel worked to have a presence on the highway, after seeing “an increase of speed and aggressive driving,” Amber Lagace, a public information officer for state police, said. It was hoped that enforcement action would help “change these types of driving behaviors,” she added.

Troopers and officers stopped 55 vehicles, issued 31 summonses, and made one arrest — Raymond Hilaire, 21, of Norwalk, Massachusetts. Lagace said he was first stopped for driving 99 mph and issued a summons. Later, the same trooper stopped Hilaire again — after accusing him of driving 106 mph. He was then arrested on a reckless driving charge.

Hilaire is due in court in February.

A two-vehicle crash also blocked the left lane of the highway for approximately 30 minutes in the area of Mile Marker 14 during the initiative, she said.

“This operation will be continuing throughout the month of December during all hours of the day and night with the goal of improving safety during the commuting hours,” Lagace said.

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