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New Hampshire
A N.H. motorcyclist was clocked at 158 mph, with a passenger on the back, police say
Local News
The 21-year-old from Farmington allegedly evaded for police for several miles.
A 21-year-old Farmington, New Hampshire, man is facing a slew of charges after allegedly driving his motorcycle in the Live Free or Die state at speeds up to 158 mph Sunday, and fleeing from police in the process.
Zachary Dionne was eventually arrested after stopping at a gas station off Portsmouth’s Exit 3 on Interstate 95. He was charged with felony reckless conduct — deadly weapon, reckless driving, making an unsafe lane change, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, failing to display plates, and having an unregistered vehicle, State Police said.
State Police initially received a report of a group of motorcyclists “being operated hazardously” while traveling east on Route 101 in Raymond. A trooper in a police aircraft then located the group and noticed one bike — allegedly operated by Dionne — begin to pull away, “passing other motor vehicles, and going in between two vehicles at the same time.” The trooper observed this motorcycle going 158 mph as it continued east, police said.
As the bike approached the exit ramp for I-95, a trooper in a vehicle spotted it, allegedly clocked it at 110 mph, and activated his blue lights. “Trooper [Samuel] Provenza observed a passenger on the back of the motorcycle, and it did not appear to be slowing, he did not pursue it,” police said.
The police aircraft followed the motorcycle from above as it traveled east and south on Route 1. It slowed in traffic, and Provenza was able to see it again.
This is what happened next, per police:
The motorcycle again refused to stop and instead accelerated rapidly and began recklessly passing other vehicles and disregarding multiple motor vehicle laws. Trooper Provenza did not pursue and allowed the aircraft to follow it.
The motorcycle continued onto Route 107 and then entered I-95 northbound, where (Trooper Thomas Lombardi in the aircraft) acquired multiple additional speed readings, with a high speed of 144 mph. During this time, the operator used all lanes of I-95 to pass and weave in and out of traffic. The motorcycle took Exit 3, and Trooper Lombardi maintained visual contact as it traveled down Greenland Road and pulled into a gas station.
That’s where Dionne was taken into custody. He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday.
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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