Head-On Crash Results In Arrest

MANCHESTER, N.H. – A Bedford man faces impaired driving charges following a head-on crash that left another person with serious injuries.

At 2:37 a.m. yesterday, June 22, Troopers from the Troop B barracks were dispatched to reports of a wrong-way driver who was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 293 near mile marker 2.4 in Manchester. Approximately two minutes later, a head-on collision involving a vehicle traveling the wrong way was reported just over a mile south at mile marker 1.2 on I-293 northbound. Troopers arrived and found two vehicles involved in the crash. 

The initial investigation determined that James Defeo, 21, of Bedford, was driving his 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck in the wrong direction when he struck a 2012 Kia Optima head-on. The driver of the Kia, identified as Kyle Sariceno, 34, of Manchester, suffered serious injuries from the crash and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Defeo was not hurt. 

Troopers determined that impairment was the primary contributing factor to the crash. Defeo was arrested and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, reckless conduct involving a deadly weapon and vehicular assault. Defeo refused bail services and will be arraigned in Manchester District Court on Monday, June 24.

Troop B was assisted on scene by Troopers from the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (CAR) Unit within the State Police, as well as fire and medical personnel from the Manchester Fire Department. Northbound traffic in the area was detoured off Exit 1 for approximately four and a half hours during the investigation and cleanup. 

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could assist in the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Noah Brown at (603) 230-3084 or Noah.C.Brown@dos.nh.gov.

No booking photo is available at this time.