Wrong-Way Driver Arrested on Route 101

January 22, 2026 — by Scanner Alerts Media

Exeter, NH

An Exeter man was arrested early Thursday morning after New Hampshire State Police responded to reports of a wrong-way driver traveling on Route 101 in Exeter.

At approximately 12:42 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, State Police dispatch began receiving 911 calls reporting a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Route 101. Troopers assigned to Troop A responded and located the vehicle, identified as a 2020 Ram 1500 pickup truck, still traveling the wrong way.

State Police reported that as Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver reversed direction, corrected the truck’s direction of travel, and continued eastbound on Route 101. Troopers caught up with the truck as it approached Exit 12 and attempted a second stop. Police said the driver initially failed to yield, but ultimately stopped on North Hampton Road in Exeter after exiting the highway.

The driver was taken into custody and identified as Nathan Russell, 29, of Exeter.

During the investigation, Troopers determined Russell displayed signs of impairment. He was arrested and charged with felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor charges of aggravated driving under the influence of liquor and disobeying an officer, and violations of reckless operation and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Russell was held on preventive detention at the Rockingham County Jail pending an arraignment scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Brentwood District Court.

Troopers were assisted by members of the Stratham and Exeter Police Departments.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Patrick Vetter at Patrick.R.Vetter@dos.nh.gov.

Rockingham County, Rockingham County, crash

Credit: New Hampshire State Police