Newly elected New Ipswich Select Board member Shawn Talbot, and his wife and New Ipswich Recreation Director Nicole Talbot, were both charged Saturday in relation to a motor vehicle crash on Thursday.
According to a press release issued Saturday by the New Ipswich Police Department, police were dispatched to a crash on King Road on Thursday night at 10:20 p.m., . When police arrived, they found a Ford F250 pick-up had been traveling the wrong way on a one-way road when it crashed.
Police said investigation shows that speed and reckless operation appear to be factors in the crash.
Police eventually determined the driver of the vehicle to be Shawn Talbot, 42, of New Ipswich. Initially, Shawn Talbot’s passenger, Nichole Talbot, 40, of New Ipswich, reported to police that she had been driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. Nichole Talbot later recanted her statement, and told police that she had been a passenger and Shawn Talbot had been driving at the time of the crash. Police determined Shawn Talbot had been operating the vehicle without a valid license.
Shawn Talbot recently was elected to the New Ipswich Select Board, unseating former Selectman Bert Hamill in March. Shawn Talbot also currently holds the position of sports coordinator for the town’s recreation department, which Nichole Talbot leads as director.
On Saturday, police arrested both Shawn and Nichole Talbot and charged them with crimes related to the incident. Shawn Talbot was charged with driving without license required, reckless driving, issuing a false report to law enforcement, false reporting of an accident, disobeying an officer, obstructing government administration and driving the wrong way on a one-way roadway.
Nichole Talbot was also arrested and charged with issuing a false report to law enforcement, allowing an improper person to drive, false reporting of an accident and obstructing government administration.
Both Shawn and Nichole Talbot were released on personal recognizance bail and issued an arraignment date of May 11 at the 8th Circuit Court, Jaffrey.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.