Claremont 19-year-old indicted for negligent homicide in Route 12A crash; prosecutors say he hit 94 to 102 mph at impact

A 19-year-old Claremont man has been indicted on negligent homicide charges over a crash on Route 12A in Plainfield that killed a 53-year-old driver in August.

A Sullivan County grand jury found probable cause on four felony charges against Michael Martin III, the Valley News reported.

What are the charges?

The grand jury's indictment includes:

• DUI negligent homicide, a Class A felony
• Negligent homicide, a Class B felony
• Aggravated DUI causing serious bodily injury, a Class B felony
• Reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, a Class B felony

The Class A charge carries up to 15 years in prison. Each Class B charge carries up to seven years, according to state law cited by the Valley News.

What happened on Route 12A?

State police were called to a serious crash at about 8 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Troopers found two heavily damaged vehicles, a Chevrolet and a Toyota. Martin was driving the Toyota and had a passenger.

The Chevrolet's only occupant, Clayton Ezequelle of White River Junction, was taken to the hospital. He died of his injuries on Aug. 13, state police confirmed.

Martin's passenger needed surgery. Martin suffered a collapsed lung and an abdominal hernia.

'Substantial impairment'

Martin told a trooper he was going 40 to 45 mph. He said he swerved left through the River Road and Beauty Hill Road intersection to avoid another vehicle, according to the affidavit.

He also denied drinking that day.

But a hospital blood draw put his blood-alcohol content at 0.22, the affidavit says. The legal limit for drivers under 21 in New Hampshire is 0.02.

"At 0.15 BAC, individuals are experiencing substantial impairment," Trooper Brandon Rivard wrote.

How fast was the car going?

A phone traffic app showed the car traveled at about 100 to 105 mph at some point during the drive, according to the affidavit.

At an Oct. 21 bail hearing, Sullivan County Attorney Christine Hilliard said state police crash reconstruction data put the speed at 94 to 102 mph at impact. She said the accelerator was "100% engaged" seconds before the crash.

Is he in jail?

As of his October hearing, yes. Judge James Kennedy ordered Martin held without bail in October, with close monitoring for his medical needs.

His lawyer, Theodore Lothstein, argued he had strong family support and no reason to miss court.

What happens next?

Martin is due for an arraignment and bail hearing on Nov. 16 in Sullivan County Superior Court in Newport.

Charges are allegations, not proof. Martin is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.