LONDONDERRY — Londonderry police said they unexpectedly discovered a stolen vehicle Thursday afternoon after its driver nearly struck a police cruiser while driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

Tony Nassar, 48, of Manchester and an unidentified passenger were taken to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries after crashing into another vehicle. The crash immediately followed a police chase that began on a one-way segment of Wilson Road and ended at the intersection of Walton Circle and Old Derry Road.

Shortly after noontime on Thursday, Officer Dan Perry was traveling down Wilson Road as part of his routine patrols when a red Chevrolet Camaro, heading in the opposite direction, narrowly missed hitting him head on.

Perry said the vehicle left before he could stop the driver. A short time later, an off-duty police officer reported seeing the same vehicle on Old Derry Road, moments after it veered off the road and into a utility pole. Police said Nassar apparently struck another vehicle as well. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. No one from the other vehicle was seriously injured.

It was later determined that the Camaro had been reported stolen from a Manchester address earlier that morning.

Public Service of New Hampshire workers arrived to repair the damaged pole and restore power.

Nassar, who was issued a hand summons at Elliot Hospital by local police, faced charges of disobeying an officer, reckless operation and driving while intoxicated.
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