Drunk 19-year-old intentionally tried to rear-end motorcyclist in fatal road rage crash: Police

Police said that a New Hampshire teen was allegedly intoxicated during a road rage incidental connected Wednesday erstwhile helium intentionally rear-ended a motorcyclist with his car.

In a press release posted to Facebook, the Litchfield Police Department announced the apprehension of John Burke, 19, who was driving a Toyota Corolla done the New Hampshire municipality astatine astir 9 p.m. Wednesday night. First responders reported to the country upon getting a notification from Burke’s car that it had crashed astatine 9:17 p.m. A 911 telephone was besides placed to study the crash.

When officers arrived astatine the scene, they witnessed Burke’s Toyota and a Mitsubishi Outlander successful the aftermath of a head-on crash. On the broadside of the road, constabulary said they recovered a motorcycle and 57-year-old Jeffrey Day, who was unresponsive. He was pronounced dormant astatine the scene.

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Burke and the operator of the Mitsubishi were treated for insignificant injuries.

According to Litchfield Police, an probe into the clang led them to judge that “the collision betwixt the Toyota and the motorcycle was intentional, based connected witnesser statements and carnal evidence.”

“The consequent clang involving the Mitsubishi was not believed to beryllium intentional, but occurred arsenic the operator of the Mitsubishi swerved to miss the motorcycle arsenic it slid into her lane,” the connection besides said.

Police noted that Burke was intoxicated astatine the scene. Details astir what led up to the alleged intentional collision betwixt Burke and Day were not provided. According to reporting by section ABC affiliate WMUR, Burke allegedly had a tiny vessel of intoxicant successful his car and spoke to a witnesser astatine the country astir what they should archer police.

Burke was arrested and charged with reckless manslaughter, first-degree battle with a deadly weapon, aggravated DUI causing superior bodily injury, reckless behaviour with a deadly weapon, witnesser tampering, and vehicular assault. A complaint of negligent homicide was dropped.

At his arraignment connected Thursday, Burke was ordered to stay successful custody until his probable origin proceeding connected May 6.