Accused Drunk Driver Crashes Into Verizon Wireless Arena
MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS) – An accused drunk driver led police on a wild chase and ended up crashing into the Verizon Wireless Arena early Monday morning, investigators said.
Police say 26-year-old Juan Ponce of Manchester refused to pull over for a traffic stop around 4:30 a.m. near Wilson Street and then sped off in his Volkswagen Jetta.
Officers ended the chase moments later as the Jetta continued on "at excessive speeds."
As police approached the arena on Elm Street they found the car had crashed into the east side of the building.
It had gone through a hallway and slammed into the outer wall of a suite.
Police said Ponce ran off, but an officer caught him "as he attempted to scale a fence on the south side of the building."
A passenger in the car, 24-year-old Eduardo Rubio Cornejo of Manchester, ran off into the arena, police said.
He was caught, arrested and charged with "resisting detention and criminal trespass."
Pone was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
He's charged with disobeying a police officer, reckless conduct; conduct after an accident; aggravated OUI liquor; resisting arrest; and assault on a police officer.
