Jaffrey police are likely to close the investigation into a pedestrian struck by an SUV on Route 202 New Year’s Eve without any charges.
Investigating officer Sergeant Christopher LaBrecque said Monday he is in the process of completing his investigation and has determined that no charges should be filed against the driver or the pedestrian.
“We are going to be closing that case,” he said. “There will not be any charges filed.”
LaBrecque said his report will not be official until his superior officer approves it.
Police responded to a report of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian at 8:14 p.m. Dec. 31 on Peterborough Street/Route 202 near Belletetes.
Daniel Howell, 53, of New Ipswich attempted to walk across Peterborough Street near Belletetes when he was struck by a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Anthony Skarda, 36, of Springvale, Maine, police said in a press release Jan. 1.
“Witnesses indicated that Howell walked out in front of oncoming traffic. Howell sustained serious injuries and was transported to Monadnock Community Hospital,” police said.
Howell was released from care at Monadnock Community Hospital on Thursday, according to a hospital spokesperson on Monday.
“The driver was not found to be at fault from looking at the area, the time of night,” LaBrecque said Monday.
In that particular area of Route 202 there are no street lights and due to the road conditions there was glare from the headlights of oncoming traffic, he said.
LaBrecque also determined that Howell could be charged with improper crossing of a road by a pedestrian, however, “the decision has been made not to charge the pedestrian.”
“The pedestrian, going through what he went through was probably enough,” he said, adding, “His injuries were not life-threatening.”