A Winchester man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly leading police on a pursuit, striking a police cruiser head-on and injuring Hillsborough police officers early Monday morning.
David Bennett, 36, was taken into custody following a police chase through Antrim and scheduled for arraignment Monday afternoon in 6th Circuit Court in Hillsborough.
The incident began around 2:30 a.m. when Antrim police patrolling downtown spotted a 2020 Nissan Rogue speeding, according to the Antrim Police Department. After pulling the SUV over on Elm Avenue, officers observed signs of alcohol impairment and an open container in the center console.
When officers informed Bennett he was under arrest, he refused to step out of the vehicle and sped away, kicking off a pursuit down Elm Avenue.
Hillsborough police officers assisted in the chase and tried to intercept Bennett on Old Milk Road. As they attempted to block the SUV, Bennett allegedly accelerated straight into the patrol car, crashing head-on into the cruiser and damaging both vehicles, according to the press release.
Despite sustaining minor injuries, the Hillsborough officers continued the pursuit after Bennett swerved around their vehicle, turned off his headlights and drove onto Turner Hill Road. The officers cornered the SUV at the end of the street, conducting a high-risk stop and holding Bennett until Antrim police arrived to take him into custody.
Antrim Ambulance evaluated all parties at the scene, and police confirmed the Hillsborough officers suffered only minor injuries.
Bennett faces a long list of criminal charges, including felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, second-degree assault, conduct after an accident, criminal mischief, and falsifying physical evidence. He was also charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, and drug and traffic violations.
Antrim police noted that the Hillsborough and Henniker police departments, along with Antrim Fire and Ambulance, assisted during the incident.