Man passed out from apparent drug overdose wakes up, endangers first responders as he tries to drive away

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King
King

MANCHESTER, NH — A Derry man was charged with DWI and reckless conduct after he endangered two firefighters who responded to a call for a driver passed out behind the wheel.

According to police first responders arrived to the area of Lowell and Ash streets at 5 p.m. on July 12, answering a call for a person possibly suffering from cardiac arrest.  A man, later identified as Adam King, 27, of 26 Lenox Road in Derry, was slumped behind the wheel of his car, the motor still running, the engine still engaged in “drive” position.

Two Manchester firefighters entered the car through the passenger side while Captain Peter Franggos approached King from the driver’s side door. Once inside the vehicle, he observed drug paraphernalia on King’s lap.

Firefighters also observed a hypodermic needle and a spoon with brown residue between King’s legs, so they attempted to prevent him from driving in the event he was under the influence of drugs. Two firefighters entered through the passenger’s door in an attempt to place the vehicle in park. However, King awoke as they tried to place the vehicle in park and drove forward and reverse several times before firefighters were able to stop the vehicle. A firefighter standing outside of the vehicle flattened a tire with a halogen bar to stop King from driving away, while two of his fellow firefighters remained inside the vehicle.

Fortunately, no one was injured as King attempted to leave the scene with two firefighters hanging out of his vehicle. A firefighter was able to take the keys from the ignition and subdue King until Officer Jason Feliciano arrived on scene. Officer Feliciano took King into custody and tested the residue on the spoon, which tested presumptive positive for heroin/fentanyl.

King was placed into custody and charged with driving while intoxicated (misdemeanor); possession of a controlled drug (felony) and 2 counts of reckless conduct (felony). He was set to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on July 13, 2016.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!