Small Town Misfit

Manchester, NH
As they ordered him to put down his beer, police said they watched as a 27-year-old man stopped Christmas night for drunk driving continued to chug from a 40-ounce bottle of Olde English.

Later at the police station’s booking area, Patrick Allain - arrested on his fourth charge of driving while intoxicated - told officers: “You can charge me with whatever you want. It’s not going to stop me from drinking and driving.”

Yesterday in Manchester District Court, police prosecutor Steven Reardon described Allain as having “utter disregard” for others.

“Mr. Allain poses an extreme risk to the public,” Reardon told Judge Norman Champagne.

Reardon said Allain, who gave his address as New Horizons shelter, has been convicted of driving while intoxicated at least three times. His license was suspended in Hooksett District Court May 31 for driving drunk.

Allain was arrested at 6:45 p.m. Monday after police responding to a report of a drunk driver at Bridge and Beech streets and pursued him with sirens and flashing lights.

Reardon said a motorist spotted Allain’s erratic driving and called police on a cell phone. The driver continued to follow Allain and report his location to police.

After Allain stopped at the west end of the Bridge Street bridge, officers approaching the vehicle said he continued to drink from a bottle of beer, despite commands to stop and get out of the vehicle.

Reardon said before being pulled over, Allain had hit two vehicles, causing property damage but no injury. Police Community Information Officer Sgt. Maureen Tessier said Allain also crossed over the center line, putting people in other vehicles - including a police officer in a marked cruiser - in danger.

Allain could enter no plea to the felony in district court and a probable cause hearing was set for Jan. 9.

Allain, who was charged with hitting two vehicles and failing to stop to provide required information, yesterday said he’d just gotten a new job. He asked Champagne to set bail at personal recognizance, instead of the $25,000 cash/corporate surety bail sought by the prosecutor.

Champagne set bail at $25,000, with conditions of no alcohol consumption and no driving until Allain’s privileges are restored.

Found in the Union Leader

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 at 11:52 pm and is filed under Booze, Cars & Trucks, Threats. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.