CONCORD, NH — A vehicle parked on Loudon Road led to drunken driving, assault, and other charges on Saturday night, as the suspect reportedly fought with police, attempting not to be taken into custody.
An officer came upon a Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV on the side of the road around 10:30 p.m. near the intersection with Allard Street. The officer immediately called for backup as they tried to ascertain why the vehicle was stopped. The driver was a woman in her early 20s.
The first officer reported they suspected the Trailblazer driver was intoxicated. About four minutes later, the officer accused the driver of refusing to participate in a field sobriety test.
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“She is clearly intoxicated,” the officer said. “She’s going to be under arrest.”
A struggle then ensued between officers and the driver — with the woman screaming, which was heard from the officers’ radios.
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“She’s definitely intoxicated and very loud,” the second officer stated.
While attempting to take the driver into custody, another officer ran a check on a second woman in her early 20s.
Around 10:45 p.m., with the suspect being accused of actively resisting, the original officer requested more units to get the driver into the cruiser.
“We’re going to need a few more units if we are going to get her upright,” the officer said.
According to scanner chatter, officers were also requested to go to the area of Bridge Street and Loudon Road to see if they could find the vehicle involved in an accident.
More officers arrived at the Loudon Road scene and eventually got the woman inside the cruiser. The officer also accused the driver of kicking the barrier inside the cruiser.
New Hampshire State Police, hearing the incident, asked Concord officers if they needed assistance.
One officer said, “No, we have plenty of people here.”
The driver, Melanie Rose Estrada, 21, of John Tasker Road in Barnstead, was arrested on driving under the influence, speeding-16 to 20 mph over 55 or less, two resisting arrest or detention, and three simple assault charges, and open container and lane control violations. She was taken straight to the county jail.
News 603 posted a video on Facebook.
On Monday morning, Estrada was arraigned by video and pleaded not guilty to the nine charges. She was released on personal recognizance. A trial date in Concord District Court has been set for Jan. 21, 2025.
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