“NH State Police is committed to ensuring public safety and Trooper Montville’s actions are an example of what troopers face during the course of their duty.”
DURHAM, NH – A Hampstead man stopped in Durham Friday for suspected DWI after crossing over the roadway’s center line into oncoming traffic punched a Trooper in the face after failing a field sobriety test, and then fled the scene on foot.
Christopher St. Onge, 22, was arrested April 2 in Exeter after surrendering to police after coordinating his surrender through his attorney.
On April 1, 2016, at 11:41 p.m., Trooper Michelle Montville initiated a motor vehicle stop on Main Street in Durham for an erratic vehicle driven by St. Onge, 22. Trooper Montville observed St. Onge’s vehicle cross over the white fog line and the centerline into oncoming traffic. Trooper Montville stopped the vehicle and performed a field sobriety test. Trooper Montville developed probable cause to arrest St. Onge for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
When she notified him of that, St. Onge allegedly assaulted her by punching her in the face. Trooper Montville exchanged strikes with St. Onge, in self-defense. St. Onge managed to escape by fleeing the area.
Attempts were made during the early morning hours of April 2 by members of NH State Police Troop A, Durham Police and UNH Police to find and arrest St. Onge.
St. Onge was taken into custody at 10:56 a.m. on April 2, 2016, in Exeter, after coordinating his surrender through his attorney.
Charges against St. Onge include: felony escape, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, DWI, transportation of alcoholic beverages and other motor vehicle related charges.
Trooper Montville was treated and released by Durham Fire and Rescue at the scene and is doing well, considering the assault against her.
NH State Police is committed to ensuring public safety and Trooper Montville’s actions are an example of what troopers face during the course of their duty. State Police Colonel Robert Quinn expresses his thanks to Trooper Montville for her dedication to that effort.
NH State Police would like to thank Durham Police Department, UNH Police Department, Kingston Police Department and Durham Fire and Rescue for their assistance during this investigation.
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