‘I Just Gotta Get Home’: New Hampshire Man Pulled Gun Over Traffic Delays, Drove Across Lawn to Escape Scene, Police Say

HUDSON, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A 38-year-old man is facing a felony charge after police say he pulled a gun and drove over a lawn to avoid traffic delays caused by a crash that had blocked a local street.

According to the Hudson Police Department, Eric Chadbourne became enraged when his route was stopped by a serious accident involving a UPS truck and another vehicle on Webster Street on Thursday afternoon.

Witnesses Say Man Threatened Bystanders at Crash Scene

As emergency crews worked to assist the crash victims, Chadbourne allegedly confronted witnesses and volunteers who had stopped to help.

“He said, ‘I just gotta get home,’” witness Colby Jackson told WMUR-TV. “I said, ‘The guy’s over here lying on the ground — we can’t really let you by.’ He kept reaching for a pistol in his pocket, and we all told him to stop — you don’t want to do this.”

Police said Chadbourne appeared agitated and impatient, repeatedly insisting he needed to drive through the blocked area despite the active crash response.

Suspect Drove Across Lawn to Flee Scene

After arguing with witnesses, Chadbourne allegedly drove his white Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck across a nearby lawn, nearly striking a wall as he forced his way around the crash site.

According to police, witnesses saw Chadbourne brandish a handgun during the encounter, escalating the situation and causing panic among bystanders.

“The subject was unhappy that the traffic had come to a stop and needed to get to the residence down the street,” said Hudson Police Captain Patrick Broderick. “Because of that, he pulled a firearm.”

Webster Street runs through the center of Hudson, a town of roughly 25,000 residents located near the Massachusetts border.

Arrest Made After High-Risk Stop

Officers quickly tracked Chadbourne to a nearby home after witnesses provided a detailed description of his vehicle and license plate. Police spotted his Chevy Avalanche parked outside and conducted a high-risk vehicle stop, taking him into custody without incident.

Chadbourne has been charged with criminal threatening with a deadly weapon, a felony offense under New Hampshire law.

“This was an incredibly dangerous and unnecessary situation,” Hudson police said in a statement. “Our officers are thankful that no one was hurt.”

Community Reaction

Local residents expressed disbelief that a minor traffic delay could lead to such a violent overreaction. One witness described the scene as “chaotic and surreal,” noting that Chadbourne’s impatience could have easily resulted in tragedy.

Police have not yet said whether the firearm was legally owned. Chadbourne was booked into custody and is expected to appear in Nashua District Court later this week.

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