State Trooper Involved In Crash; Driver Arrested For DUI After Pursuit

EXETER, N.H. – A suspect was taken into custody on felony charges following a pursuit during which an on-duty New Hampshire State Trooper was involved in a rollover crash. 

At 11:10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2024, Trooper Shane McClure of the Troop A barracks was on patrol on Route 101 westbound in Exeter when he observed a 2018 Toyota Camry traveling at 131 mph near Exit 11, where the posted speed limit was 65 mph. Trooper McClure caught up with the Toyota and activated his emergency lights, however, the driver continued at a high rate of speed and a pursuit began.

Moments later, the driver of the Toyota took Exit 9 and continued west at a high rate of speed on Epping Road (Route 27) in Exeter. While continuing to pursue, Trooper McClure was involved in a rollover crash near the intersection of Epping Road and Old Town Farm Road. Other Troopers, along with members of the Exeter police and fire departments, responded to the crash scene to assist Trooper McClure while additional Troopers searched the area for the eluding driver of the Toyota. 

At approximately 11:25 p.m., Troopers located the Toyota on Middle Road in Brentwood, however, the driver again failed to stop and the pursuit continued. As the driver of the Toyota turned onto Deer Hill Road, Troopers successfully deployed tire deflation devices. However, despite having multiple deflating tires, the driver continued back to Route 101 westbound. 

In the area of Exit 7, the driver of the Toyota made a U-turn and began driving eastbound in the westbound lanes, directly toward pursuing Troopers. As Troopers approached and tried to prevent the driver from continuing the wrong way into oncoming traffic, the driver of the Toyota again reversed direction and continued westbound.

In the area of Exit 6, the driver lost control of the Toyota and went off the right shoulder before rolling over into the woods off the road. Troopers then surrounded the Toyota and made contact with the driver, before breaking a window and ordering the suspect out of the vehicle. The driver, later determined to be the only occupant, complied and was taken into custody.

Troopers have identified the driver of the Toyota as Michael P. Holt, 56, of Brentwood. As a result of the investigation, Holt was charged with three counts of felony reckless conduct and misdemeanor counts of disobeying an officer, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs or liquor, conduct after an accident, and criminal mischief. Holt was also cited for a violation of reckless operation, as well as numerous other violations.

Holt was transported by ambulance to an area hospital as a precaution for evaluation and was later discharged. Following processing, Holt was held in preventative detention at the Rockingham County Jail pending an appearance in Brentwood District Court scheduled for Monday, Jan. 6. Trooper McClure was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was eventually discharged.

Route 101 westbound was closed between Exit 7 and Exit 6 for approximately two hours. Troopers were assisted with the pursuit and ensuing investigation by members of the Exeter Police Department, Newmarket Police Department, Epping Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, Raymond Police Department, Exeter Fire Department, Epping Fire Department, and Brentwood Fire & Rescue.

All aspects of the incident remain under further investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Sgt. Matthew Locke at Matthew.T.Locke@DOS.NH.GOV or Trooper Matthew Dushame at Matthew.T.Dushame@DOS.NH.GOV.

No booking photo is available at this time.