High-speed chase ends with rollover crash on I-93

NEW HAMPTON — An Alexandria resident is facing felony charges after leading police on a multi-town chase following a hit-and-run accident, ultimately ending in a rollover crash on Interstate 93.

Brian J. Ethier Jr., 34, was charged Friday with felony possession of methamphetamine and felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, as well as misdemeanor charges of transporting drugs in a car, aggravated driving while intoxicated with an attempt to allude police, leaving the scene of an accident, and disobeying police. He was also issued a violation for reckless driving.

Bristol Police took Ethier into custody at 5:56 p.m. on June 19, after responding to a report of a hit-and-run crash on I-93 involving a white 2017 Chevrolet Colorado.

Officer Ronald Taylor was sent to an area near Lake Street and Keezer Road for an accident, according to a signed affidavit from Plymouth District Court. A witness told him the driver appeared to be under the influence of something, and fled the scene.

According to a police dispatcher, the Chevy rear-ended another car and left the scene before reporting the accident. Taylor stated he drove north on Lake Street, near Newfound Memorial Middle School, and saw the suspect driving south at an “extremely high rate of speed,” while passing vehicles over a solid center line. Other cars driving both north and south had to take “evasive action” to avoid an accident.

Taylor stated he turned on his lights and pulled into the southbound lane to try to stop the truck. He alleged Ethier sped up quickly, narrowly avoiding his police car.

“The vehicle refused to stop and drove into the left turn lane around multiple vehicles then drove straight through the red light without stopping onto Pleasant Street east bound,” Taylor stated in the affidavit. “The vehicle continued east bound Summer Street at a high rate of speed passing vehicles over a double solid yellow line and continued onto Summer Street eastbound.”

Ethier allegedly drove east on Spruce Street, when he came behind a marked Bristol Police cruiser with lights on, driven by Sgt. Steve Henry. Taylor stated Ethier was driving about 55 mph, and abruptly swerved to the right, onto a sidewalk, narrowly missing Henry’s cruiser.

Ethier allegedly continued east on Summer Street, passing cars and motorcycles, driving around 100 mph in a 50 mph zone.

Bristol Police stated in a release that Ethier allegedly passed the vehicles driving recklessly. Police said this created a “substantial risk” to the public.

Ethier's Chevy crossed into New Hampton, then took the onramp to I-93 North. Taylor stated the pursuit continued at speeds of about 90 to 95 mph on the highway, and Ethier allegedly crossed multiple lanes before going off the right side of the highway, then onto the median, before continuing on. In the area of mile marker 70.6, Ethier allegedly again drove off the road, swerved back, then lost control and hit the right guardrail. Ethier rolled his vehicle at least once before it came to a rest on its tires.

Taylor stated police told Ethier to come, and he refused to exit the truck. Police walked to the Chevy, pulled him out, and took him into custody. Police searched Ethier and found a small plastic bag in his pocket with a crystal substance Taylor recognized as methamphetamine.

Ethier was taken to Speare Memorial Hospital by New Hampton EMS to be evaluated for medical treatment, and Taylor said while he was talking to Ethier, his eyes were dilated, he was speaking fast and rambling and was not making sense, and appearing to be under the influence of drugs.

While in the ambulance, Ethier allegedly admitted to taking meth, klonopin, and suboxone. At the hospital, Ethier was read his rights, and he agreed to a blood test, and drug recognition expert evaluation.

After being cleared medically, Ethier was taken to the Plymouth Police Department for the drug evaluation, and police determined he was under the influence of drugs.

“Bristol Police Department would like to recognize Officer Taylor for quickly locating the suspect vehicle, allowing officers to respond promptly to a dangerous situation and ultimately bring the incident to a safe conclusion,” Bristol Police stated in the release.

Bristol Police were assisted by the New Hampton Police Department and State Police. New Hampton Sgt. Patrick Cremin said an officer in the department shut down traffic on Route 104, and continued onto I-93 to give police another set of hands. 

Ethier was arraigned in Plymouth District Court on Monday, and is held in jail at the Grafton County House of Corrections, pending his next court appearance. He is due back at Plymouth District Court at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, for a probable cause hearing.