Motorist faces multiple charges after car strikes parked police cruiser in Dover

By AARON SANBORN
asanborn@fosters.com
Article Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2008

DOVER — A Madbury woman faces multiple charges after allegedly striking a police cruiser with her vehicle while trying to flee police on Monday evening.

Police say the incident started as a welfare check at 370 Washington St. shortly before 7 p.m. According to Sgt. Brant Dolleman, residents at the home called police because the woman had parked in their driveway for an hour with her vehicle running.

"They had no idea who she was," Dolleman said. "The report was the driver appeared asleep or unconscious."

Dolleman said an officer arrived at the home and parked behind the vehicle, a Toyota Prius, and as he was approaching the vehicle, the woman put the vehicle in reverse and almost struck the officer.

"The officer had to scramble out of the way and ended up on the hood," Dolleman said.

The Toyota then struck the passenger side of the police cruiser. As a result, the driver, Laura K. Smith, 27, of Madbury, was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless conduct.

The police officer, who Dolleman wouldn't name, was treated and released from Wentworth-Douglass Hospital with minor injuries. Smith was also taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The police cruiser sustained damage to the passenger side but was able to be driven back to the station. Smith's vehicle was towed from the driveway.

The incident remains under investigation. Smith's bail and court date was unavailable late Monday night.