By Paul Montgomery
The Union Leader
DOVER, N.H. — A Portsmouth firefighter is accused of driving his truck with a blown out tire, sparks flying as metal scraped against the pavement, and smashing into another vehicle on Dover Point Road early Saturday morning.
Police said Samuel Chouinard, 38, of 47 Overlook Drive, was arrested Saturday and charged with DWI and leaving the scene of an accident.
Chouinard has worked for the Portsmouth Fire Department for 17 years and remains on the job, Assistant Chief Steve Achilles said yesterday, noting that the charges are just accusations at this point and the conduct allegedly occurred in Chouinard’s personal vehicle.
“It’s a personal issue for him and at some point it may need to be addressed by the city of Portsmouth fire department, but at this point it’s a personal thing,” he said.
When asked if Chouinard drives a fire truck, Achilles said, “All firefighters are qualified to drive.”
He added: “He still has his license.”
Police said they received a call around 1:30 Saturday morning to report a brown Ford F-150 pickup truck driving north on Dover Point Road near Tuttle Road with a blown out tire and sparks flying.
As police drove to the scene, they received a second call reporting that the truck had moved into southbound lane and sideswiped a Mazda 6, sending the sedan into a tree, Capt. Bill Breault said. The vehicle was totaled, but its driver was not seriously injured.
A witness also told police they saw the truck drive away and head to a home at 47 Overlook Drive.
When officers arrived, they found gouge marks in the driveway leading to a garage with its door closed, Breault said.
Officers knocked on the home’s door and encountered Chouinard, who told police he had been in Portsmouth before coming home.
He was arrested and released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail and refused a breathalyzer test.
Chouinard did not return a call for comment.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in Dover District Court on Nov. 30.
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