State Police Cruiser Struck on Interstate 93

CANTERBURY, New Hampshire – On December 23, 2023, Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police Troop D barracks were responding to multiple motor vehicle crashes on Interstate 93 North in Canterbury, NH due to icy road conditions.  At approximately 11:19 p.m., the cruiser of Trooper Zavala was struck by a motorist as he was roadside with another motor vehicle crash. At the time of the crash, Trooper Zavala was outside of his cruiser and was uninjured.

The driver who struck the cruiser was identified as:

Melvin Ruiz Chaperon 
Age: 38
Chelsea, MA

Ruiz Chaperon was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. He was summonsed to appear at Concord District Court for the charge of Operating without a Valid License (Misdemeanor B). 

Due to this crash, multiple other crashes and impassable road conditions, Interstate 93 North in Canterbury was shut down for approximately an hour and a half.

The New Hampshire State Police were assisted on scene by Canterbury Fire Department, New Hampshire Department of Transportation, New England Truck Center-Concord and Matt Brown’s Truck Repair.