State Police Make Arrest In Merrimack Hit & Run Pedestrian Accident

MERRIMACK, NH — New Hampshire State Police have charged a Manchester man in connection to the investigation of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle on the Everett Turnpike on Friday.

Merrimack fire, police, and New Hampshire State Police responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck on the Everett Turnpike in the southbound lane at about 5:45 a.m

Calls came in from several people, including an NH DOT worker at the scene, about a pedestrian being struck and thrown into the woods near Mile Marker 13.2. Merrimack police were first to arrive and reported that the highway had flooding from the heavy rains. The pedestrian was found seriously injured and in the woods. Reports indicated the pedestrian was thrown 30 to 40 feet.

Firefighters and medics worked on the victim and transported them to the Elliot Hospital, and activated a trauma alert while en route to the hospital. State police said the victim, a 59-year-old man, had life-threatening injuries and was transferred to Mass. General Hospital after initially being brought to the Elliot.

State police said the man pulled over on the right side of the turnpike and exited his vehicle to render aid to a previous motor vehicle crash that occurred in the center median — blocking the left lane. While walking towards the crash scene, the pedestrian was struck by an unidentified vehicle that entered the grass shoulder off the right side of the roadway.

Investigators determined from witnesses that the vehicle that struck the victim fled the scene in a southerly direction on the turnpike. Several parts of the vehicle that fled were left at the scene, and state police asked for assistance from the public in locating the vehicle.

State police arrested Jose Enrique Cruz Vasquez, 30, of Manchester, following an investigation. Investigators had developed information that Vasquez was the motor vehicle operator who struck the pedestrian, resulting in life-threatening injuries, a report said.

An arrest warrant was obtained, and Vasquez was taken into custody at the Troop B Barracks without incident. He was charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon and conduct after an accident. He will be arraigned at the Hillsborough County Superior Court on Monday.

All aspects remain under investigation. State police are requesting that anyone who may have witnessed the incident, passed through the scene with a dash camera, or has observed the accident to contact Trooper Luan Sanches at Luan.G.Sanches@dos.nh.gov or by voicemail at 1-603-227-0114.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news