Trooper’s cruiser struck during icy road pileup on I-93

CANTERBURY — A New Hampshire State Police cruiser was hit while responding to a series of motor vehicle accidents on Interstate 93 North due to icy conditions on Dec.

23. At around 11:19 p.m., Trooper Zavala’s vehicle was struck by a car operated by Melvin Ruiz Chaperon, 38, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, while Zavala was attending to another crash outside his cruiser. Zavala was uninjured in the collision.

Ruiz Chaperon sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. He has been summonsed to appear at Concord District Court on a charge of operating without a valid license, classified as a Misdemeanor B. The series of accidents and treacherous road conditions led to the closure of I-93 North for approximately 90 minutes.

Support at the scene was provided by the Canterbury Fire Department, New Hampshire Department of Transportation, New England Truck Center-Concord, and Matt Brown’s Truck Repair.

The New Hampshire State Police continue to investigate the incidents and urge drivers to exercise caution during winter weather conditions.