Police Say NH Driver Sped Past Officer Minutes Before Crash

SALEM, N.H. (CBS) – A New Hampshire man suffered life-threatening injuries during a crash that occurred moments after the driver passed a police officer driving nearly 100 MPH.

Just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, a Salem police officer radioed dispatch that she had been passed by a vehicle on Main Street. She reported that the driver was speeding at 90 MPH or higher.

The officer put on her emergency lights to try and stop the car, but lost sight of the driver.

A short time later, the officer came upon the scene of a crash involving the same vehicle at 317 Main Street.

Speed likely caused a serious crash that injured a New Hampshire man. (Image Credit: Salem Police Department)

The 1997 Lexus that has passed her had hit multiple trees after driving off the road.

The driver, identified only as a 23-year-old Salem man, was ejected from the car and was lying at the base of a tree when the officer arrived.

The man was transported to Lawrence General Hospital and was then taken by MedFlight to Mass General Hospital in Boston.

Salem Police said preliminary investigation indicates that speed was "most definitely" a factor in the crash.

Officers will continue to investigate whether alcohol or drugs played a part as well.

The driver of the Lexus suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash.