SOMERSWORTH — Somersworth Police Chief Dean Crombie, operating his unmarked cruiser, was hit Monday by a hit-and-run driver but the alleged culprit left behind evidence that made him easy to find.

SOMERSWORTH — Somersworth Police Chief Dean Crombie, operating his unmarked cruiser, was hit Monday by a hit-and-run driver but the alleged culprit left behind evidence that made him easy to find.



Crombie was driving on High Street at around 3:20 p.m., when he checked his rearview mirror and spotted a car approaching very quickly.



“He had to be going 70 miles per hour,” Crombie said. “He gave me a millisecond to brace myself,” Crombie said. “If I hadn't braced myself, I would have been hurt — my neck and my back.”



Upon impact, the chief's car spun and was pushed up onto the lawn of a home.



According to Crombie, the driver of the other car then got out, approached Crombie, and accused the chief of not paying attention.



The young man then quickly returned to his car.



“I assumed he was going to move his car to the side of the road,” Crombie said. “But as he ran, off he slipped on the ice, fell down and his wallet fell out of his back pocket,” Crombie said. “He jumped in his car and took off. I couldn't believe he took off.”

Crombie retrieved the wallet, and 15 minutes later police had located and arrested 19-year-old Collin Ollivierra Jr. of Somersworth. He was charged with conduct after an accident, driving while intoxicated, possession of narcotics and negligent operation.



Police said Ollivierra was out on bail at the time of the crash. He was charged with breach of bail, stemming from an incident two months ago when he was charged with possession of heroin.



Chief Crombie said he hurt his shoulder during the collision. “My shoulder is pretty sore, but I haven't taken a sick day in 24 years. No reason to start now.”



Ollivierra was not injured. He was being held at the Strafford County House of Corrections and scheduled for arraignment today.



Despite being involved in such an unusual incident, Crombie was philosophical: “The good Lord was looking over us,” he said. “Twenty minutes earlier, the area where I went over the snow bank would have been crowded with kids (getting home from school).”