Motor Vehicle Pursuit

Hooksett, New Hampshire – On January 13, 2023 at approximately 10:28 PM, a New Hampshire State Police Trooper from the Troop D barracks attempted to stop a motor vehicle for lane control violations on Interstate 93 southbound in the town of Hooksett. The vehicle was identified as a 2009 silver Dodge Avenger.

The operator failed to stop for the Troopers emergency lights and sirens and continued to flee at a high rate of speed on I-93 south and into the city of Manchester where the operator exited the interstate. The pursuit was eventually terminated on Maple Street in the city of Manchester. With the assistance of the Manchester, NH Police Department, the operator was located near his abandoned vehicle on E. High Street and taken into custody without incident. The operator was also involved in a brief pursuit with the Manchester Police Department.

The lone operator was identified as Benjamin M. Defosses, Concord, NH, Age: 27.

Defosses was arrested and will face multiple charges from both the New Hampshire State Police and the Manchester Police Department. Defosses faces charges out the Merrimack and Hillsborough Superior Courts to include felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, disobeying a police officer, aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, operating after being deemed a habitual offender, operating after suspension offense and reckless driving. Defosses was held without bail and is scheduled to appear at the Merrimack County Superior Court on January 17, 2023 at 1PM.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Trooper Christopher Abbate at (603) 271-3636 or Christopher.Abbate@dos.nh.gov.