Members of the Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire Department and AMR Ambulance responded to a serious motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles approximately 10:00 a.m. yesterday at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Merrimack Street. All four people involved in the three vehicle crash were transported to area hospitals.

Scott Sprague, 28 of Manchester, New Hampshire who was operating a 2012 Hyundai Sante Fe around 10:00 a.m. yesterday was charged with three counts second degree assault, one count second degree assault (attempted) and reckless conduct.

Sprague was involved in a disturbance at Manchester District Court prior to the crash. Sergeant John Cunningham briefly spoke with an irate Sprague outside of the courthouse before he abruptly entered the Hyundai and fled the area. He allegedly accelerated rapidly and continued at a high rate of speed on Amherst Street before turning south on Pine Street, which is a one way street for northbound traffic. According to a witness, he turned into the parking lot of the Art Institute and narrowly missed a pedestrian before turning back toward Chestnut Street.

Sprague made his way back to Chestnut Street and once again narrowly missed striking a pedestrian who was crossing Chestnut Street near Manchester Street seconds before the crash. Multiple witnesses stated he was traveling at a high rate of speed as he approached the red traffic signal at the intersection where he struck two additional vehicles, causing serious injuries to at least one of the three other people involved.

Sprague struck the 2007 Chevrolet HHR, which was traveling westerly on Merrimack Street at the time of the crash. The force of the crash caused the Chevrolet, driven by a 52 year-old Litchfield women to crash into a 2003 Toyota Camry, which was traveling eastbound on Merrimack Street. The 58 year-old passenger of the Chevrolet and 44 year-old Manchester resident and operator of the Toyota each sustained serious injuries. Spra