HAMPTON FALLS, NEW HAMPSHIRE – A Biddeford man was arrested after allegedly leading New Hampshire State Police in a car crash in a stolen vehicle.

On Sunday, New Hampshire State Troopers were advised to be on the lookout for a stolen 2018 Nissan Murano from Florida, bearing Maine registration, according to a press release from New Hampshire State Police. The driver of the car was reportedly headed to Maine.

A New Hampshire state trooper saw a car traveling more than 100 miles an hour on Interstate 95 North around 7:30 p.m. The state trooper activated his emergency lights and followed the car until it left the highway, discontinuing the pursuit due to high speed and traffic conditions, according to police reports.

State police and local law enforcement agencies canvassed the area and found the car on I95 North. Police report the car again left the highway and after subsequent pursuit on I95 North, the car left the road and crashed near Exit 5 in New Hampshire.

The operator of the car reportedly ran and was found with the help of the New Hampshire State K-9 team in a marshy area about one quarter of a mile from the crash site.

The driver of the car, Emil Girard, 23, of Biddeford surrendered to law enforcement, according to police. He was treated on scene by Portsmouth Fire for minor injuries and then transported to Rockingham County Jail for processing and was held in custody, pending arraignment at Rockingham Superior Court.

Girard faces several charges, including two counts Receiving Stolen Property , two counts Reckless Conduct with a Deadly Weapon, two counts Disobeying an Officer, Resisting Arrest, two counts Reckless Operation, and Driving After Revocation/Suspension. 

New Hampshire State Police was assisted by Portsmouth Police Department, Portsmouth Fire Department, New Hampshire Fish and Game, and National Wrecker.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with any information related to the incident is asked to contact Trooper Cameron Vetter at Cameron.S.Vetter@dos.nh.gov.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.