Merrimack Man Charged With Drunken Driving After Hit and Run

A Merrimack man was charged over the weekend for drinking and driving-related charges after he reportedly sideswiped another vehicle and continued down the road.

A witness to the accident helped police locate the allegedly intoxicated driver by following him and reporting his location to police dispatch.

Joseph Lebaron, 33, of 7 Deerwood Dr. Merrimack, was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI and conduct after an accident in the Friday morning incident.

Police say Lebaron was traveling east on Baboosic Lake Road at 7:43 a.m. when, in the vicinity of Independence Drive, he crossed the yellow line into the westbound travel lane, which was occupied by Ernie Wells, 57, of Merrimack. Wells attempted to evade the accident by veering toward the curb in his 1992 Toyota Camry, police say.

He avoided a head-on collision but was side-swiped by Lebaron's 2000 Nissan Maxima. 

A witness followed Lebaron, helping lead police to Currier Road, where they made a traffic stop.

While speaking with Lebaron the officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath as well as signs of impairment, police say. He was later released on $2,500 personal recognizance pending his arraignment before the Ninth Circuit Court in Merrimack on Oct. 3.