CHESTER, NH – A Manchester man faces multiple charges after he crashed his car into a tree, allegedly while impaired, seriously injuring a passenger and a dog, before fleeing the scene of the crash. He was found hiding in a nearby field by a State Police K-9 unit.
According to a State Police narrative, on December 14 at approximately 6:10 p.m., New Hampshire State Police responded to a request from Chester Police to investigate a motor vehicle accident on Sandown Road involving serious injury to the passenger.
Witnesses indicated to police the vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree while traveling at a high rate of speed. Additionally, it was reported the operator of the vehicle had fled the scene on foot.
Several State Troopers responded, as well as a State Police K-9 team from Troop-A. The passenger, identified as Mark Richard, 58, of Manchester, was found to be suffering from a broken arm, broken leg and other serious internal injuries. He was treated at the scene and later transported to the Elliott Hospital in Manchester.
Witnesses provided a description of the driver to responding troopers, and the State Police K-9 team conducted a track. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Paul Cram, 46, of Manchester, was located a short time later by Trooper Haden Wilber and his K-9 Gauge while Cram was hiding in a field.
Cram was transported to the Parkland Medical Center in Derry for injuries sustained both from the crash as well as from the police dog during apprehension.
A dog that was a passenger in the vehicle with Cram and Richard sustained significant injuries in the crash and was found by passing motorists a short distance from the crash site. The animal was transported to an emergency veterinary clinic in Manchester for treatment.
Cram is currently being held on $25,000 cash bail pending arraignment in the 10th Circuit Court-Derry Division. Cram will be charged with felony aggravated DWI, operating while habitual offender, conduct after an accident, resisting arrest and cruelty to animals.
Anyone with information regarding the circumstances of this crash is encouraged to contact Trooper James Powers at NH State Police Troop-A. Trooper Powers can be reached at (603) 223-8490 or at james.powers@dos.nh.gov.
