Man faces slew of charges following pursuit that began in Gonic, ended in Lebanon

LEBANON, Maine - A Lebanon man was taken into custody by a State Police K-9 after a multi-state pursuit that began on Gonic Road in Rochester, N.H. and and ended in Lebanon.

The chase began on Friday around 2:30 p.m. when a State Trooper spotted a 2005 Toyota Camry driving recklessly on Gonic Road (Route 125) in Rochester. As the driver merged into the northbound lanes of the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16), the trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop. but the driver failed to stop, prompting the the pursuit, according to a NH Dept. of Safety press release sent Monday.

The driver of the Toyota continued to speed and drive erratically as it exited the Spaulding Turnpike at Exit 16 and continued through Rochester before entering Lebanon, where the driver stopped in the driveway of a home on North Rochester Road and fled. The trooper, Sgt. Gary Wood Jr., then deployed his partner, K-9 Ida, who successfully apprehended the driver, who was identified as Justin T. French, 40, of Lebanon.

A subsequent investigation revealed that French was wanted on multiple outstanding bench warrants issued by Rochester District Court for failing to appear. Troopers further determined that French also showed signs of impairment.

He was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries and ultimately arrested and charged with felony reckless conduct, misdemeanor charges of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, disobeying an officer, operating after suspension - subsequent offense, and contempt - breach of bail conditions.

With the assistance of the York County, Maine Sheriff's Office, French was charged with an additional crime in the State of Maine in connection with fleeing at the conclusion of the pursuit.

After being medically cleared, French refused the services of a bail commissioner and was transported to the Strafford County Department of Corrections, where he was held pending an appearance in Rochester District Court.

Katanna A. Murphy, 24, of Lebanon, a passenger in the Toyota who was also identified as the owner of the vehicle, was charged with a violation of allowing an improper person to operate. She was released on a summons to appear in Rochester District Court on Jan. 5.

Troopers from the Troop A barracks were assisted by members of the Troop G barracks, and Lebanon, Maine, Fire & EMS.

All aspects of this incident remain under investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Sgt. Wood at Gary.J.WoodJr@dos.nh.gov.