SALEM, N.H. — A man faces a drunken-driving charge for allegedly crashing into a motorcycle while on his way to the town fireworks on July 4.
A woman riding on the motorcycle was seriously injured, police said.
About 9 p.m. Sunday, Donald Johnson, 50, of Salem was traveling south on Route 28 in a Toyota Avalon when he entered the depot intersection, where north- and southbound traffic had green lights, police said.
Johnson took a left turn onto Main Street and struck a motorcycle traveling north through the intersection.
The driver of the motorcycle, Robert Baker, 56, of Wilmington, Mass., suffered minor injuries in the crash. His wife, Kathy, 56, was riding on the back of the bike and suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
She was first brought to Lawrence General Hospital, then taken to a Boston hospital, where she underwent surgery Monday, police Capt. Shawn Patten said.
A hospital spokeswoman said yesterday afternoon there was no record of Kathy Baker in the system.
Johnson had his 10-year-old son riding in the car with him. Neither was injured.
"He was on his way to the fireworks with his son after a July Fourth barbecue," Patten said.
Johnson failed a field sobriety test and was taken to Parkland Medical Center in Derry for blood tests, Patten said.
He is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and endangering the welfare of a child.
Johnson was released on personal recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Salem District Court for arraignment next month.
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