Man Charged With Injuring N.H. State Trooper In Hit-And-Run Released On $6K Bail
MERRIMACK, N.H. (CBS) -- A man New Hampshire State Police say injured a State Trooper in a hit-and-run early Sunday morning was arraigned Wednesday.
Eric Jackson, 43, of Amherst, New Hampshire, was charged with felony charge for conduct after an accident and a violation-level offense for motorist duties when approaching highway emergencies. He was ordered held on $6,000 bail, which he posted, and was released.
New Hampshire State Police said Jackson struck Trooper Ryan Hickey while he was assisting another trooper with the traffic stop around 2:30 a.m. Sunday on the Everett Turnpike near Exit 10 in Merrimack, and drove away.
According to State Police, Hickey had put two people in his cruiser when he was hit near the cruiser's driver's side door by the SUV, which was traveling south. The other trooper at the scene, Trooper Jake Wood, was able to identify the SUV as an older, light-colored model and assist Hickey.
On Monday, less than 24 hours later, State Police found the SUV involved in the hit-and-run, and said they had developed a person of interest.
Jackson's attorney said he turned himself in to police.
Outside court Dean Jackson, Eric's father, said his son was sorry for the incident.
"We're here to support and really try to reach out and tell the officer and family that we're very sorry this happened, as I know Eric is," Dean Jackson said.
Trooper Hickey was present in court Wednesday, walking with the aid of a cane. Hickey served with the N.H. State Police for a year, and previously served two years with the Derry, N.H. Police Department. His injuries were described in court as being "significant."
State Police praised Trooper Wood for his actions during the incident.
"During a very brief and stressful incident, Trooper Wood was not only able to render immediate aid to Trooper Hickey, but he was also able to identify the type of vehicle as an older model, light colored Chevrolet Trailblazer and relay this information to dispatch," N.H. State Police Lt. N.A. Noyes said in a statement.