Police pursuit of woman ends with crash into cruiser

Ashley E. Smith (NHSP photo)

NEWPORT - A Warner woman driving with no license plate led police on a pursuit from Newport to Claremont and back to Newport where the chase ended when she crashed into a Claremont police cruiser.

The chase and crash unfolded around 9 a.m. on Friday when a State Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle on Elm Street in Newport for having no license plates and a defective equipment violation, according to a State Police press release sent on Sunday.

The vehicle failed to stop for the Trooper and a pursuit ensued. Stop Sticks were deployed several times to deflate the tires as the vehicle continued into Claremont and then back into Newport. All four tires were eventually deflated however the operator still refused to stop, according to safety officials.

The vehicle continued at slow speeds and ultimately collided with a Claremont cruiser, which finally brought the pursuit to an end. The driver was identified as Ashley E. Smith, 29, of Warner, who had three EBWs for her arrest as well as a Superior Court warrant with two additional charges.

Smith also charged with two counts of felony reckless conduct, disobeying an officer, falsifying evidence, false imprisonment, and operating with a suspended license.

A male passenger was released on scene with no charges at this time.

The New Hampshire State Police were assisted by the Newport, Claremont and Cornish Police Departments as well as the Newport Fire Department. The incident remains under investigation and anyone with any related information is asked to contact Trooper Washburn at Eamon.L.Washburn@dos.nh.gov