Overview
- At a Brentwood District Court hearing Monday, Cassandra Aldecoa pleaded not guilty and remained in custody, while passenger Zachary Lapierre was released on personal recognizance with a July 7 hearing set.
- State police say the crash followed Sunday reports around 1:47 a.m. of a Nissan Kicks traveling east in the westbound lanes of Route 101 in Exeter.
- Trooper Shane McClure positioned his marked cruiser in the car’s path between Exits 8 and 9 to stop it, the Nissan struck the cruiser, and McClure later reported concussion-like symptoms.
- Prosecutors say Aldecoa faces felony reckless conduct, second-degree assault, and criminal mischief along with DUI-related charges, and an affidavit says she changed her account about drinking and where she was coming from; Lapierre faces misdemeanor counts including disorderly conduct and contempt.
- Investigators note New Hampshire logged 811 wrong-way driver reports from 2023 to 2025, and officials advise motorists to move to the far shoulder and call 911 rather than attempting to intervene.