Barnstead woman accused of assaulting Concord police during drunk driving arrest

CONCORD, NH – A vehicle parked on Loudon Road led to drunk driving, assault and other charges Saturday night as the suspect reportedly fought with police and tried to avoid being taken into custody.

An officer encountered a Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV on the side of the road near the intersection of Allard Street around 10:30 p.m. The officer immediately called for backup to determine why the vehicle was stopped. The driver was a woman in her early 20s.

The first officer reported that he suspected the Trailblazer driver was intoxicated. Approximately four minutes later, the officer accused the driver of refusing to participate in a field sobriety test.

“She is clearly drunk,” the officer said. “She’s going to be arrested.”

A struggle then ensued between the officers and the driver, with the woman screaming, which could be heard over the officers' radios.

“She is definitely drunk and very loud,” the second officer stated.

While attempting to arrest the driver, another officer conducted a check on a second woman in her early 20s.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., when the suspect was charged with active resistance, the original officer requested additional units to get the driver into the patrol car.

“We will need a few more units to get them back on their feet,” the official said.

According to scanner chatter, officers were also asked to go to the area of ​​Bridge Street and Loudon Road to see if they could locate the vehicle involved in a crash.

Additional officers arrived at the scene on Loudon Road and eventually placed the woman in the patrol car. The officer also accused the driver of kicking the barrier inside the patrol car.

When New Hampshire State Police heard the incident, they asked Concord officers if they needed help.

An official said, “No, we have a lot of people here.”

The driver, Melanie Rose Estrada, 21, of John Tasker Road in Barnstead, was cited for driving under the influence, speeding 10 to 20 miles per hour over 55 or less, two counts of resisting arrest or detention and three counts arrested for simple assault and open container and lane control violations. She was taken directly to the county jail.

News 603 posted a video on Facebook.

On Monday morning, Estrada was arraigned via video and pleaded not guilty to all nine counts. She was released on personal recognizance. The trial date in Concord District Court is scheduled for January 21, 2025.

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