Executive Summary
- Heather Lewis, 34, was arrested after a pursuit initiated in Londonderry, N.H.
- The incident involved a two-hour standoff that forced the closure of the interstate.
- State troopers used a cruiser to stop the suspect from driving the wrong way on I-293.
- Law enforcement utilized a K-9 unit and less-lethal munitions to effect the arrest.
- Lewis faces multiple felony charges, including reckless conduct with a deadly weapon.
LONDONDERRY, N.H. — A 34-year-old woman faces multiple felony charges after allegedly leading law enforcement on a pursuit through several towns and engaging in a two-hour standoff that forced the closure of a major interstate early Wednesday morning.
According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Safety, the incident began at 1:06 a.m. when Londonderry police officers approached a suspicious vehicle parked near a Citizens Bank on Route 102. Police state that the driver, identified as Heather Lewis of Merrimack, fled the scene when officers attempted to speak with her, initiating a pursuit westbound toward Hudson.
Officials report that Lewis pulled into a Circle K gas station near the town line, where officers from Londonderry and Hudson attempted to prevent the 2016 Volkswagen GTI from leaving. Authorities say the driver evaded the stop by driving down an embankment and striking a guardrail before reentering Route 102 to head back toward Londonderry.
The pursuit continued as the vehicle entered Interstate 93 northbound at Exit 4. State troopers assumed control of the chase and deployed tire deflation devices in an effort to disable the vehicle. According to the police report, Lewis continued north and took the ramp for Interstate 293, where she attempted to drive northbound in the southbound lanes. A state trooper utilized his cruiser to physically stop the vehicle to prevent wrong-way travel.
Police stated that Lewis refused to exit the vehicle, resulting in a standoff that closed the interstate in the area for approximately two hours. During negotiations, troopers and Londonderry officers attempted to de-escalate the situation. Officials confirmed that a state police K-9 unit and less-lethal munitions were ultimately deployed to take Lewis into custody.
Lewis was transported to Elliot Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. She has been charged by state police and the Londonderry Police Department with multiple counts of felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, and operating after suspension. She is expected to be arraigned in Manchester District Court.
Public Safety and Procedural Review
The closure of a major interstate artery highlights the significant operational challenges law enforcement faces when managing high-speed pursuits that threaten public infrastructure. The intervention to prevent the suspect from entering opposing traffic lanes underscores the critical decision-making required to mitigate the extreme danger of wrong-way collisions. By utilizing containment maneuvers and less-lethal force options, authorities were able to resolve the standoff without lethal consequences while neutralizing a threat to highway safety. It is important to note that all individuals, including Ms. Lewis, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
