Man who sideswiped police cruiser on Spaulding nabbed for second DWI

Brian Theriault (Police mugshot)

ROCHESTER - A Northwood man was arrested for DWI after he sideswiped a parked state police cruiser Monday on the Spaulding Turnpike.

The incident unfolded around noon as. Sgt. Christopher Storm of the Special Enforcement Unit was parked in the northbound breakdown lane during a traffic stop.

Storm's cruiser, which had its emergency lights activated, was then hit on the driver's door by a 2012 Hyundai Elantra, which was driven by a man later identified as Brian Theriault, 28, of Northwood.

The vehicle failed to stop after hitting the cruiser door and continued north until two other troopers stopped the vehicle at the Rochester tolls.

Storm was transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.

Theriault was booked and bailed by Rochester police on charges of driving while intoxicated, 2nd offense, conduct after an accident, operating after suspension and failure to move over pending an Aug. 12 arraignment at Rochester Circuit Court.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or the operation of this vehicle prior to the crash is asked to contact Trooper Christopher Ball at 603-223-8891.