MANCHESTER, NH — A driver found passed out behind the wheel of his car was revived with Narcan and then arrested for allegedly causing a four-car crash on Canal Street Tuesday.
Mark Rzasa, 51, of Hooksett, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Several people were injured as a result of the Nov. 24 crash that happened just before 5 p.m. Three vehicles were towed from the scene. AMR responded to the incident and transported three people to the hospital, including Rzasa.
Officers spoke with Rzasa at the Elliot Hospital shortly after the crash occurred. AMR personnel arrived on scene and treated Rzasa with Narcan due to the fact he was unconscious behind the wheel of his 2001 Mitsubishi Montero when they arrived. He regained consciousness and was placed inside of the ambulance and treated for neck and back pain.
Rzasa’s vehicle remained on scene and it was determined he caused the multi-vehicle crash due to the fact he may have passed out behind the wheel while operating southerly on Canal Street.
Police said he crashed into a vehicle driven by Susan Newell, 56, of Goffstown. Newell and her passenger, Maria Ajang, 33, of Manchester, were approaching the traffic light at Granite Street when Rzasa’s vehicle struck the rear of her 2013 Chevrolet Impala. The impact caused her to rear-end the car in front of her, a 2000 Honda CRV, driven by Daryl Bowser, 53, who had two passengers, Tracy Bowser, 52, and Valerie Manseau, 63, all of Manchester.
Newell’s vehicle sustained heavy front end and rear end damage and had to be towed from the scene. Newell and her passenger refused medical treatment on scene and appeared to be uninjured.
Bowser’s Honda was struck by Newell’s Impala causing it to crash into a 2007 Pontiac sedan stopped at the light, driven by Susan Sheppard, 65, of Manchester, who was with one passenger, Theodora Nakos, 68, also of Manchester.
Bowser’s vehicle sustained heavy read-end damage and was towed from the scene. Two of the three occupants were treated for back injuries at the Elliot Hospital.
Neither Sheppard nor Nakos reported injuries. The Pontiac sustained minor rear end damage, but was operable.
Police investigators charged Rzasa with operating under the influence of liquor or drugs (first offense). He was issued a summons at the Elliot Hospital. He is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester.
