Man Crashes Into Trees Driving Wrong Way on Route 101, Cops Say

An alleged wrong way driver on Route 101 in Hampton went off the road and tried to fight State Police when they tried to evaluate his injuries on Saturday night.

State Police said they received reports around 10:40 p.m. about a 2006 Nissan Murano driving west in the eastbound lanes near Route 1 in Hampton. The driver continued in the wrong lane where the highway divides near the Towle Farm Road overpass, according to police.

Troopers found the car in the wooded area between the east and westbound lanes near Exit 13 for Route 27 after hitting a cluster of trees and the lone occupant, driver Brian Smith, 46, of Amesbury.

While trying to evaluate Smith's condition he became "combative" before being subdued and placed into custody, according to police. He was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital where an examination determined he was not injured because of the crash.

Smith was charged with driving under the influence of liquor, reckless conduct, reckless driving, and resisting arrest or detention, as well as several traffic violations. He was released on personal recognizance bail pending an appearance in Rockingham County Superior Court.

A man who drove the wrong way on Route 101 in Hampton on June 14 shot himself in the head after police said he drove into a marsh.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH