Overview
- Police say an 18-year-old driver refused to stop on Interstate 95 and then again at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle after an initial chase was paused for safety, with the events happening Friday night.
- Troopers say radar showed the car reached 105–130 mph and that the driver used all four lanes, ran red lights, drove the wrong way and collided with at least one cruiser before spike strips were deployed to stop the vehicle.
- The driver, identified as Justin Jedrey, has been charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors including reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief, disobeying an officer and fleeing the scene; he was held in preventive detention after an arraignment.
- The passenger, 18-year-old Nikol Muka, was charged with unlawful possession of alcohol and intoxication, was released on bail and is due back in Portsmouth District Court in late September.
- Troopers recovered miniature alcohol bottles and a substance suspected to be marijuana in the car but have not concluded whether the driver was impaired, and the ongoing investigation will inform further court action scheduled for later this month.