A truck driver from Maine was arrested for driving under the influence early this morning, March 29, after driving his tractor-trailer into the media of Interstate 95 in New Hampshire.
State troopers say the incident occurred at about 1:40 a.m. in the Town of North Hampton in eastern New Hampshire near the state line with Massachusetts.
NHSP said a preliminary investigation at the scene determined a fully loaded tractor-trailer, operated by Nathaniel Ray, 46, of Lisbon Falls, Maine, had been traveling southbound on the interstate when, for reasons that remain under investigation, he lost control of the tractor-trailer. The tractor-trailer departed the left side of the road and traveled into the center median.
The troopers said the tractor-trailer continued south in the center median for about 500 feet before it struck delineator posts and came to a stop after becoming stuck in deep mud.
While on the scene, a statement from the troopers said they noted Ray displayed signs of impairment and subsequently arrested him for driving under the influence. As a result of the investigation, Ray was also charged with felony reckless conduct, aggravated driving under the influence, and criminal mischief.
Ray was processed at the Hampton Police Department and released on personal recognizance with a notice to appear April 18. in the 10th Circuit Court, District Division, in Hampton. However, based on his level of impairment, Ray was temporarily held in protective custody at the Rockingham County House of Corrections.
Also, troopers conducted a motor carrier inspection. As a result of the inspection, Ray was also cited with multiple commercial motor vehicle violations.
The crash and investigation caused two southbound travel lanes of Interstate 95 to be closed for about two and a half hours, according to troopers.
Troopers said the accident remains under investigation.
