Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Nashua man fights release of medical records state wants to prove DWI charge

Jonas Pilot · 03-21-2012, 07:32 AM

By BEA LEWIS
blewis@citizen.com

LACONIA — One of two snowmobiliers charged with driving while intoxicated (or DWI) after being rescued from Lake Winnipesaukee in February is challenging the release of his medical records that the state is relying on to prove his guilt.

Jason Quinn, 32, of Nashua, is slated to appear in the 4th Circuit Court, Laconia District Division at 1 p.m. today.

Court Clerk Michelle Brown confirmed Quinn is attempting to block the release of hospital records obtained via a search warrant. The criminal complaint describing the charge against Quinn has not yet been filed with the court.

Meanwhile, Quinn’s companion, Derek P. Couture, 33, 141 Hoyt St., Manchester has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs or liquor. The complaint filed with the court alleges that Couture was impaired when he was driving a Yamaha 550 snowmobile on the ice of Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton on Feb. 11 at about 7:45 p.m.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Lt. Jim Goss has previously said the two men are lucky to be alive after they ended up in open water in the lake.

The pair became separated while snowmobiling on the ice and ended up being rescued on opposite sides of the lake. When Quinn turned back to look for Couture his snowmobile broke through thin ice. Goss said Couture was able to bail off the sled as it sank.

Quinn found himself wet to the waist and stranded on the ice a good two miles from shore and unable to find Couture, Goss said.

Quinn called 911 and rescuers were able to track the GPS coordinates from his cell phone and determine that he was about one mile east of Welch Island and approximately one mile south of Sandy Island.

The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART) helicopter also assisted in the search. Their pilots fly with nightvision goggles allowing them to see in the dark and using their powerful spotlights to illuminate the ice, according to Gilford Fire Rescue Lt. Richard Andrews.

Couture ended up in Tuftonboro, where he apparently fell into open water created by an Aquatherm that was keeping ice from forming around a dock, as he attempted to make it to shore. Both men were subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment of suspected hypothermia.

Couture has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $1,000 personal recognizance bail, on the condition he not drink alcohol to excess or take any illicit drugs. The case is slated for trial Monday, April 9 at 8:30 a.m. Couture is being represented by attorney Adam Bernstein.

http://www.citizen.com/news/2012-03-...rds_state.html

03-21-2012, 07:32 AM	#1
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Nashua man fights release of medical records state wants to prove DWI charge By BEA LEWIS blewis@citizen.com LACONIA — One of two snowmobiliers charged with driving while intoxicated (or DWI) after being rescued from Lake Winnipesaukee in February is challenging the release of his medical records that the state is relying on to prove his guilt. Jason Quinn, 32, of Nashua, is slated to appear in the 4th Circuit Court, Laconia District Division at 1 p.m. today. Court Clerk Michelle Brown confirmed Quinn is attempting to block the release of hospital records obtained via a search warrant. The criminal complaint describing the charge against Quinn has not yet been filed with the court. Meanwhile, Quinn’s companion, Derek P. Couture, 33, 141 Hoyt St., Manchester has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs or liquor. The complaint filed with the court alleges that Couture was impaired when he was driving a Yamaha 550 snowmobile on the ice of Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton on Feb. 11 at about 7:45 p.m. New Hampshire Fish and Game Lt. Jim Goss has previously said the two men are lucky to be alive after they ended up in open water in the lake. The pair became separated while snowmobiling on the ice and ended up being rescued on opposite sides of the lake. When Quinn turned back to look for Couture his snowmobile broke through thin ice. Goss said Couture was able to bail off the sled as it sank. Quinn found himself wet to the waist and stranded on the ice a good two miles from shore and unable to find Couture, Goss said. Quinn called 911 and rescuers were able to track the GPS coordinates from his cell phone and determine that he was about one mile east of Welch Island and approximately one mile south of Sandy Island. The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART) helicopter also assisted in the search. Their pilots fly with nightvision goggles allowing them to see in the dark and using their powerful spotlights to illuminate the ice, according to Gilford Fire Rescue Lt. Richard Andrews. Couture ended up in Tuftonboro, where he apparently fell into open water created by an Aquatherm that was keeping ice from forming around a dock, as he attempted to make it to shore. Both men were subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment of suspected hypothermia. Couture has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $1,000 personal recognizance bail, on the condition he not drink alcohol to excess or take any illicit drugs. The case is slated for trial Monday, April 9 at 8:30 a.m. Couture is being represented by attorney Adam Bernstein. http://www.citizen.com/news/2012-03-...rds_state.html