New Hampshire State Police have announced charges against a man in connection with a hit-and-run that injured a trooper over the weekend.
Eric Jackson, 43, of Amherst, is facing a number of charges for allegedly hitting Trooper Ryan Hickey Sunday morning as he was assisting another trooper during a traffic stop in Merrimack. He was standing next to his cruiser.
Hickey was seriously injured in the crash, but has since been released from the hospital.
With the help of his fellow troopers and his fiance, Hickey found the strength the walk himself into the courtroom to face Jackson.
"Jackson is facing a single felony charge for conduct after an accident," said New Hampshire State Police Lt. Nathan Noyes. "It was a matter of inches and we could be having a different conversation here today."
Jackson turned himself in to law enforcement and was arrested, according to authorities. He is charged wtih conduct after an accident and a violation of the Move Over Law.
When asked whether his son was distraught, Jackson's father told necn outside the courthouse, "Oh my gosh, yes."
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Dean Jackson says his son has never been in trouble with the law, so seeing him in handcuffs was heartbreaking.
"Yeah, very tough," he said. "Never anything like this before."
Jackson's bail was set at $6,000 cash at his arraignment on Wednesday afternoon in Merrimack District Court. His lawyer argued bail should be set at $5,000 as he has no criminal record. But prosecutors argued that he was a flight risk, especially given that he had already fled the scene of the original accident.
Jackson again refused to talk with necn when he was released on bail, but his dad is passing along a message as Trooper Hickey starts a long road to recovery.
"We're just here to support and you know, really try to reach out and tell the officer and his family that we are very sorry that this happened, because I know Eric is," Dean Jackson said.
Trooper Hickey has been released from the hospital and was in court for Wednesday's arraignment.
The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Sunday on the southbound side of the Everett Turnpike near exit 10.
State police said that within 24 hours of their investigation, they had identified, located and taken possession of the vehicle involved in the collision - a tan 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer - and developed a person of interest. They also obtained other evidence linking Jackson to the incident.
