Dover motorist escapes injury after being struck by speeding driver in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH - A Dover woman escaped injury on Wednesday when a speeding driver near the Portsmouth traffic circle collided with her car before crashing into a tree in the middle of the traffic island.

The speeding driver had earlier been spotted around 6 p.m. as he was heading north on Interstate 95 at speeds up to 113 mph.

The vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, was reported swerving in an out of traffic on the interstate by several motorists, who said it had rear-end damage.

As State Troopers began to search for the suspect vehicle, it was observed northbound and clocked at 113 miles per hour.

As troopers began to close the distance between themselves and the suspect vehicle, the driver exited the highway towards the Portsmouth Traffic Circle where he crashed into two cars: a 2015 Scion TC operated by 22 year-old Gary Strzepek of Gilmanton and a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu operated by 22 year-old Brianna Fitzpatrick of Dover. Neither party was injured as a result of the collisions.

After striking the two sedans, the suspect continued into the center median of the Portsmouth Traffic Circle where he crashed into the tree.

The operator was removed from the vehicle and arrested. Arrested in the incident was 32 year-old Joseph Noone of Portsmouth, who was charged with reckless operation, reckless conduct, DWI, operating after suspension and speed.

Noone was transported to the Portsmouth Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, and received personal recognizance bail. He remained at the hospital for observation and will be summonsed to Rockingham County Superior Court at a date to be determined.