MANCHESTER, NH – Officer Matthew McDonald responded to the area of Woodland Avenue on May 7, approximately 10:15 p.m. for a car that had crashed into a ditch. Upon arrival, he observed a white Chevrolet Impala with a man seated behind the steering wheel. The man was later identified as David Pepin, 52, of Manchester. Officer McDonald attempted to open the door of the vehicle to check on the unconscious man.
The locked door prevented the officer from gaining entry, so he knocked on the window. He also used his flashlight and loud verbal commands to get Mr. Pepin’s attention. Mr. Pepin finally regained consciousness and began swearing at the officer to leave him alone. He refused to open the door or adhere to the officer’s verbal commands. Instead, he turned his back to the officer while reaching for an unknown item on the passenger seat.
Officer McDonald was unsure if he was reaching for a weapon, so he broke the driver’s window with his flashlight in order to gain control of Mr. Pepin’s hands. Officer McDonald sustained cut a to his forearm as he reached into the car and was treated for his injury at a local hospital. He safely removed Mr. Pepin from the vehicle as Officer Mark Harrington arrived on scene to assist with the arrest.
Both officers noted Mr. Pepin appeared to be intoxicated based on the fact he was unable to stand on his own and had slurred speech. He was charged with resisting arrest/detention (a misdemeanor), operating under the influence of liquor/drugs (violation) and placed into protective custody. He was later released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on June 13, 2017.
