New Hampshire State trooper allegedly assaulted during DUI arrest

A New Hampshire State Trooper was allegedly assaulted while arresting a suspect on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to police reports.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when a state trooper stopped a vehicle on Route 101 in Newmarket for suspicious activity. The driver of the vehicle, who was identified as a 42-year-old man from Somersworth, was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

During the arrest, the trooper alleges the suspect physically assaulted him. The suspect was then transported to the State Police barracks in Epping where he was processed.

The trooper was treated for minor injuries at a local medical facility and released. The suspect was charged with driving under the influence, simple assault on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest. He was held on $2,500 cash bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

This is not the first time a New Hampshire State Trooper has been assaulted while making an arrest. In 2017, three troopers were assaulted during separate incidents while making arrests.

In this particular case, the New Hampshire State Police are stressing the importance of citizens complying with police officers when they are stopped and asked to cooperate.

“We take any assault on a law enforcement officer seriously and strongly encourage citizens to comply with officers during any encounter with law enforcement,” said State Police Capt. Stephen Cutter. “No one should ever assault a police officer, and we hope this incident serves as a reminder to the public that assaulting a law enforcement officer is a serious offense.”