Date of Release: Saturday August 18th, 2007 7:30am

Reference: Motor Vehicle Accident on Lafayette Rd.

On August 17th, 2007 at 11:44pm, the Portsmouth Police Department came upon a vehicle at the end of Lafayette Rd. by Ledgewood Dr. that had struck a tree head on. Officers on scene located an unconscious male subject on the ground near the vehicle. A second male subject was seen fleeing the scene towards the area of the Route 1 By-Pass. Portsmouth Fire Department and Ambulance crew members arrived began administering emergency first aid to those involved.

Preliminary investigation showed that a

1999 Chevrolet K-14 Pick Up Truck color silver

was traveling south on Lafayette Rd. when it failed to negotiate a left hand turn leading to Ledgewood Dr. The male spotted fleeing the scene was located in the wood line behind the Toyota Dealership on the Route 1 By-Pass. This was accomplished with the direct help of off duty Exeter Police Sergeant Robert Weichert and Portsmouth Police K-9 Officer Scott Pearl and his K-9 Wess. He was identified as:

Jared Booth, age 21 from Berlin, NH

Preliminary investigation led the Portsmouth Police Department to believe that Jared Booth was the driver of the truck that struck the tree. His passenger was identified as:

Peter Allen, age 27 from Milton, NH

Allen suffered serious injuries to his neck and hip as a result of this motor vehicle accident and was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Jared Booth suffered minor cuts and scrapes and he, too, was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Jared Booth was subsequently arrested for Felony Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated and Felony Conduct After an Accident. He was released on $7,000 Personal Recognizance Bail from the hospital.

If you happened to witness this accident or if you have information that may help in the investigation, you are urged to contact Ofc.. Chistopher Kiberd at 610-7504 or Portsmouth Crimestoppers at 431-1199.

Chief Michael Magnant by Sgt. Frank Warchol