Man arrested on slew of charges after trying to outrun police on three bare rims

Christopher Deputat (NHSP photo; Voice graphic)

A Laconia man is facing arraignment today on a slew of charges in connection with a high-speed chase that began in Dover early this morning and ended in Lee after he crashed into a ditch while driving on three rims.

The incident unfolded around 2:20 a.m. when a State Trooper was monitoring traffic on Route 16 in Dover when he observed a vehicle traveling southbound at a high rate.

After clocking the vehicle at 106 mph he activated his emergency lights and attempted to conduct a stop of the vehicle, which was identified as a green 1996 Nissan Maxima, a description that matched a vehicle that fled from a Dover Police officer just minutes prior to passing the State Police Trooper.

The suspect car then continued south at a high rate of speed while having lane control issues, the trooper noted.

The drive continued south on I-95, until turning onto Route 101 West where an officer from the Stratham Police Department was able to successfully deploy stop sticks. The stop sticks deflated several tires of the Nissan and greatly reduced its speed, however, it continued westbound until it exited the highway at Exit 7 to head north on Route 125.

As the car was down to one tire and three rims, the vehicle continued onto Route 4 West from the Lee traffic circle, where a short time later, it left the roadway and crashed into a ditch, according to a Troop A press release.

Upon crashing, the male operator fled from the vehicle, and Trooper Gary Wood Jr., who first began his pursuit in Dover, was able to utilize his canine partner, Ida, to take the suspect into custody.

The driver was identified as Christopher Deputat, 31, of Laconia. He was charged with felony reckless conduct, aggravated driving while intoxicated, disobeying an officer, driving after suspension, conduct after an accident, and resisting arrest.

He is being held at the Strafford County Jail until his arraignment in the Strafford County Superior Court later today.

Deputat, had one passenger with him who was taken into custody without incident. She was identified as, Erika Boyd, 30 of Salisbury, Mass., and brought to the Strafford County Jail to be held in protective custody due to her impairment, presumably by a controlled substance.