Police track footsteps through snow to nab DWI, reckless conduct suspect

James Brandt, left, and scene of Saturday night crash (NHSP photos)

UNITY - Police say an Acworth man who crashed his car while under the influence was arrested after officers followed his footsteps in the snow for about two miles Saturday night.

The track unfolded around 9:20 p.m..as troopers from the Troop C barracks were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on Unity Springs Road in Unity where it was reported that a single vehicle had crashed into a tree and the male operator of the vehicle had fled the scene on foot.

On arrival troopers and local officers from the Newport Police Department located a Volkswagen Passat with heavy front-end damage. An investigation revealed that just prior to the crash, the suspect vehicle had passed another vehicle on a double yellow line during poor weather conditions which directly resulted in the vehicle losing control and crashing. Officers and troopers quickly located a set of footprints in the snow and followed them for about two miles until they ended in a wooded area on Gilman Pond Road in Unity.

Officers then illuminated the area and located a male subject who refused to cooperate with identifying himself but eventually was identified as the operator of the vehicle involved.

James Brandt, 54, of Acworth was arrested and charged with DWI, conduct after an accident, reckless operation and disobeying an officer

He was bailed and released on personal recognizance pending an appearance in Newport District Court on Feb. 14.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Trooper Jesse DeAngelis at (603) 223-3814 or Jesse.A.DeAngelis@dos.nh.gov.