BEDFORD, N.H. – A Manchester man was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 293 and the F.E. Everett Turnpike, according to New Hampshire State Police.
At about 1:07 a.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, troopers received reports of a vehicle traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-293 near Exit 5 in Manchester. The driver continued onto the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Bedford while still going the wrong direction.
Trooper Madelynn Theve located the vehicle, a silver 2012 Honda Civic, and stopped it near mile marker 18.4 after activating her emergency lights.
The driver was identified as Benjamin Smith, 25, of Manchester. According to police, Smith was taken into custody and charged with reckless conduct – deadly weapon, and driving while intoxicated.
Smith is scheduled to appear in Merrimack District Court in early November.
Authorities said no injuries were reported during the incident. State Police are reminding drivers to remain alert and report any wrong-way vehicles immediately to 911.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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