Motor Vehicle Crash Leads to DUI Arrest

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – On Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 1:53 a.m., State Troopers assigned to the Troop A barracks responded to the Exit 3 on-ramp along Interstate 95 North in the City of Portsmouth for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a single vehicle. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2005 Honda Accord, operated by Michael Tardiff, 40, of Holden, Maine, had been traveling along the Exit 3 on-ramp toward Interstate 95 North when, for reasons that remain under investigation, Tardiff lost control of the Honda while negotiating a curve, resulting in the Honda departing the left side of the on-ramp, traveling into an area of thick brush, and ultimately striking a tree in a wooded area adjacent to the on-ramp. 

Tardiff, along with two additional passengers, were transported via ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Tardiff was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Reckless Operation. Tardiff was issued personal recognizance bail pending an appearance in the Portsmouth District Court on September 11, 2024. No booking photo is available at this time.

While Troopers investigated the scene and emergency personnel worked to remove the Honda from the wooded area, the Exit 3 on-ramp was closed to traffic for approximately two hours. The scene was ultimately cleared, and all lanes of travel were reopened at 3:41 a.m. Members of Troop A were assisted at the scene by members of the Portsmouth Police Department, the Portsmouth Fire Department, and National Wrecker Service.   

All aspects of this crash remain under further investigation. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Ledoux at Kevin.P.Ledoux@DOS.NH.GOV.