Police: Civilian used legal gun to keep accused drunken driver at scene of crash

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — A civilian with a legally-owned gun stepped in to keep an accused drunk driver at the scene of a crash, police said.

Aaron Marconi, 50, of Portsmouth, N.H. was arrested after police say he took a wild ride in his pickup truck across the city and then crashed into a restaurant on Monday.

Marconi is facing numerous charges including felony drug possession for heroin found in his truck, driving while intoxicated and criminal threatening, police said. He is due in court on Jan. 11.

Portsmouth Police told Boston 25 News that two Good Samaritans went up to Marconi's vehicle after the crash to see if he was OK. They realized he was intoxicated and trying to get away.

That's when one of them took out a gun, and held Marconi at the scene until officers arrived.

"One of the Good Samaritans actually blocked the suspect's truck in. I believe that same person drew his own legally-owned firearm and held him at bay," said Portsmouth Police Lt. Timothy McCain.

Police say it all started around 5 p.m. Monday, when Marconi first hit a parked car at Hanover and Bridge streets, then another parked car at Islington and Pearl streets.

Police say he kept going down Islington, hitting a sign outside of a Dunkin Donuts, and finally crashed into the front of Darleen's restaurant down the street.

Hawley Anderson lives in the unit directly above the restaurant, and was home when the crash happened.

"I was in a kitchen, there was a loud bang. My partner said, "What was that?' and I said, 'I don’t know.' Next thing I know, there were cops everywhere," Anderson said.

She says it's the second time a driver has crashed into the building. The last time was just a few months ago.

"Someone took a wide turn, lost control. They were drunk driving and crashed," Anderson said.

Police said because it was the city's First Night, hundreds of people were out and about and they're thankful this situation wasn't much worse.

"The Portsmouth Police Department is very thankful people took action," McCain said.

Cox Media Group