UPDATE: A Massachusetts man has been arrested following a chaotic series of crashes in Portsmouth and Rye that began around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Adam Krahe, from Beverly, Massachusetts, faces multiple felony charges after his truck caused significant disruption and property damage across jurisdictions.
According to Portsmouth Police Lt. Jordan Wells, the incidents escalated when local law enforcement responded to reports of a smoking vehicle that eventually came to a stop on Lafayette Road in Rye. Traffic was halted for nearly two hours as police managed the situation, highlighting the urgency of the response. Witnesses observed Krahe, who refused to exit the damaged truck, necessitating officers to break a window to extricate him.
While no injuries were reported during this alarming sequence of events, the property damage was substantial. Authorities praised the collaborative efforts among various police departments, including the Rye Police Department leading the response, supported by the Portsmouth Police, New Hampshire State Police, North Hampton Police, and the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department.
Krahe is now charged with two counts each of felony reckless conduct and felony criminal mischief, alongside two misdemeanor criminal conduct charges, a reckless operation charge, and a violation related to a traffic control device. After his arrest, he was taken to a hospital for evaluation and later released on $5,000 bail. His court appearance is expected to take place in March 2024.
Residents and local officials are relieved that there were no injuries from this chaotic incident, but the community is on edge as they await further developments in Krahe’s case. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the crashes and the circumstances leading to this alarming series of events.
