Teen Driver Charged In Salem Police Pursuit, Spitting

SALEM, NH — A 16-year-old was arrested on multiple charges Monday after a pursuit with police from Salem to Derry involving a vehicle accident. The driver was located after police conducted a canine search and interviewed witnesses, before locating him under a deck of a local home. Police say the driver spit in two officers' faces while being arrested.

According to the State Police, officers began pursuing a Chrysler 200 for speeding around 12:48 p.m. on Interstate 93 north in Salem in the area of Exit 2. State Police say that the driver, who is not being identified because of being a minor, did not stop and instead increased speed.

The state troopers pursued the driver until the Exit 4 off-ramp, where police say the Chrysler made minor contact with a pickup truck as it drove outside of the travel lane and around stopped traffic. Police say the vehicle then turned right on Route 102 and continued east toward Derry, at which time state troopers stopped pursuing the vehicle because they lost sight of it.

State Police say that a short time later, the Chrysler was found abandoned after it crashed into a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the intersection of Fordway Extension and Kendall Pond Road. State Police called their canine unit to begin a track of the driver, who police say had fled on foot into a nearby neighborhood after the accident.

Before the police dogs arrived, police found the driver under a deck of a Third Street home. Police say they were able to find him with the help of the Derry Police Department and several witnesses.

State troopers then identified the male driver, and due to the fact he is younger than 18 years old, his name is being withheld. The teen was taken to the Derry police station and then released to his mother.

Derry police are charging the teen with conduct after an accident and operating after suspension in connection with the crash that occurred in Derry during the pursuit.

The State Police have charged the teen with felony reckless conduct, disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest, simple assault, criminal mischief and operating after suspension. On the State Police charges, he is scheduled to be arraigned on June 14 at Rockingham County Superior Court.

State Police say that the vehicle that was struck by the the Chrysler on the Exit 4 off-ramp could not be identified because it immediately fled the scene. It is described as an older model pickup truck with a chrome bumper.

The Derry Police Department is also still investigating the crash that occurred at the intersection of Fordway Extension and Kendall Pond Road. No one was injured in that crash, State Police say.

Anyone with further information on this incident is asked to call State Trooper Emmanuel Francois at 603-223-4381.