Morning Crashes, Unlicensed Drivers Keep PPD Busy

Portsmouth police dealt with a busy morning of crashes, citations, tows, and impounds, including two wrecks on Chillicothe Street and a separate traffic stop on Grandview Avenue. The first crash was reported just after 8:30 a.m. at 12th and Chillicothe streets. A caller reported that a white SUV had rear-ended a gray Ford Fusion. No injuries were reported at the time of the call, but the vehicles were blocking a traffic lane. Officers later moved the vehicles out of traffic and onto the Tim Hortons lot. Hometown Towing responded, and one vehicle was impounded. Police cited the driver for assured clear distance ahead and no operator’s license. Officers took information for a crash report. Around 10 a.m., police stopped another vehicle in the 1700 block of Grandview Avenue. That driver was cited for driving under suspension, and the vehicle was impounded. Ted’s Towing responded and transported the vehicle to the impound lot. Less than an hour later, around 10:44 a.m., police responded to another crash in the 1000 block of Chillicothe Street. That crash involved a green Toyota RAV4 and a Chevy Malibu. The vehicles were blocking traffic, but no injuries were reported at the time of the call. Police cited a driver for marked lanes and took information for a crash report. By late morning, Portsmouth police had handled two crashes, two impounds, and citations involving no license, driving under suspension, assured clear distance ahead, and marked lanes. Man With Hatchet Causes Ruckus on 2nd Street Portsmouth police were called to 2nd Street just after 8 p.m. after a caller reported a man walking in the middle of the road with a hatchet and talking to himself. The caller said the man was walking west on 2nd Street and would not get out of the roadway. He was described as wearing camo shorts, a tan shirt, and a red backpack. Officers caught up with the man near 2nd and Market streets. Police said he did not appear to be intoxicated and was cooperative during the entire interaction. The man told officers he had been down on the riverbank collecting bottles. Police said he did have a backpack full of bottles. Officers advised him about the complaint. The man apologized and put the hatchet into his backpack to avoid any more calls. He told police he would keep it in his backpack from then on. No arrest was reported.

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