On Sunday, August 30th, the New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) reported that the day before, a teenager evading police pursuit crashed through the fence of Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire. The teenager struck a parked plane and a towing vehicle.
The incident occurred just past 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 29th. Authorities stated that prior to the pursuit, officers were searching for “a vehicle related to crimes reported in another jurisdiction.” According to the NHSP report, a patrolman attempted to intercept a black 2008 Ford Mustang on Durham Street in Portsmouth, but the driver fled the scene.
In a statement, officials said, “At that time, the Ford Mustang was operating without headlights, crashed through the airport fence, and raced across the airplane tarmac.” NHSP’s report on their website mentioned that the vehicle then hit a parked small plane (unoccupied at the time) and a Kubota towing vehicle before coming to a stop.
The suspect has been identified as 17-year-old Wyatt Seely from Rochester. Officials mentioned that Seely was found to be intoxicated after the crash. Seely has been detained by state police and taken to a local hospital for evaluation, with no other injuries reported.
The teenager is facing several charges including driving while intoxicated (DWI), aggravated DWI, resisting arrest, and leaving the scene of an accident, along with charges of reckless driving. He is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth District Court on September 9th.
According to the latest data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, approximately 5% of high school graduates in the United States reported having driven under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, about 16% of all high school graduates reported riding in a car driven by someone under the influence.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2024, among young drivers aged 15-20 who died in fatal car accidents in the United States, 29% were suspected of driving under the influence.
In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21, and states typically have strict or even “zero tolerance” laws regarding underage drinking and driving.
(Adapted from a report by FOX NEWS)