Motor Vehicle Pursuit

CONCORD, New Hampshire – On June 22, 2023, at approximately 10:23 p.m., a trooper assigned to the New Hampshire State Police Troop D Barracks observed a vehicle traveling at 109 mph and swerving erratically on Interstate 93 northbound in Bow.  The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle as it took the ramp to Interstate 89 northbound, but it failed to stop and increased its speed to 130 mph.  The trooper did not pursue the vehicle but observed that it took Exit 2 into Concord and then lost sight of it.  

Another trooper who was just leaving the Troop D barracks then observed a vehicle stop on the side of the road by the barracks and shut its lights off.  The trooper quickly realized that it was the vehicle that had just fled, but when the operator saw the trooper, he started driving again and actually turned in towards the parking lot of the Troop D barracks.  It appeared, however, that the operator then saw the State Police sign and realized where he was.  He turned back out of the parking lot and another attempt was made to stop the vehicle.  Once again, the vehicle did not stop, and a pursuit ensued.  
 
The vehicle continued to operate erratically and at varying speeds as it attempted to elude troopers, even crossing a median on two occasions.  It eventually struck a concrete curb on Manchester Street in Concord and crashed on the Merrimack River Bridge where the operator was taken into custody.  No other vehicles were struck or damaged as a result of this operator’s behavior.

The operator was identified as Gabriel Lima, age 24, of Lawrence, MA who was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.  

As a result of this incident, LIMA was charged with a number of crimes to include Aggravated DUI – Class A Misdemeanor (x3), Reckless Conduct – Class B Felony (x2), Disobeying An Officer – Class A Misdemeanor, Operating Without a License, Subsequent Offense – Class A Misdemeanor, and Crossing a Median (x2).  He is due to be arraigned in the Merrimack County Superior Court on July 20, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. 

This crash as well as its causing factors is still under investigation.  If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact Trooper John Zavala at (603) 223-8785 or John.A.Zavala@dos.nh.gov.