GREENLAND — A Maine man was arrested for driving the wrong way under the influence on Interstate 95 in Greenland Friday morning.
State Police Troopers received a report of a wrong-way driver traveling erratically on I-95 northbound at the Hampton Toll Plaza at 11:10 a.m. March 21.
After passing the tolls, the driver crossed the center median and continued northbound in the southbound lanes of travel.
Troopers responded and attempted to stop the 2019 Jeep Cherokee using tire deflation devices and cruiser positioning, but the driver avoided them and continued at a reduced speed against traffic in the high-speed breakdown lane.
The driver eventually reached an area where Troopers had stopped oncoming traffic, and after other tactics failed, a State Trooper used their cruiser to stop the Jeep.
The vehicle came to a full stop after swerving and causing a minor slow-speed collision with two uninvolved vehicles.
No injuries were reported.
Troopers identified the driver as Robert Cresta, 70, of Kittery, Maine.
Cresta was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for precautionary treatment and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, felony reckless conduct and possession of a controlled drug.
He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth District Court on April 9.
Southbound traffic on I-95 was interrupted for approximately ten minutes while emergency personnel cleared the roadway.
State Police were assisted by the Greenland Fire Department and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
While impairment appears to be a factor, all aspects of the incident remain under investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the event is asked to contact Sergeant Greg Dube at Greg.C.Dube@dos.nh.gov or State Police dispatch at 603-223-4381.
