New Hampshire man arrested for OUI in Ashby after stop for rear-facing lights, nonvisible rear plate

ASHBY — On Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Officer Christopher Davis of the Ashby Police Department was conducting traffic enforcement at 911 Main Street (Route 119) when he observed a westbound vehicle with two white spotlights activated and directed toward the rear, shining at vehicles traveling behind it. Officer Davis added that he was unable to see the vehicle’s rear license plate.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Christopher Davis and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

“I pulled onto the roadway, caught up to the vehicle near 1093 Main St where I activated my emergency blue lights,” Officer Davis said. “The vehicle did not react to my blue emergency lights and took approximately 20 seconds before braking and approximately15 more seconds before coming to a complete stoр.”

Officer Davis approached the vehicle and identified himself to the driver. He explained that the stop was initiated due to the rear-facing white lights and the absence of a visible rear license plate.

“I identified the operator as Jeffrey Montuori by his New Hampshire issued driver’s license,” Officer Davis said.

According to police, Jeffrey Peter Montuori, 46, is a resident of Rindge, New Hampshire.

Officer Davis said that while speaking with Montuori, he observed that his eyes were glassy and bloodshot.

“I got closer to the vehicle and was getting an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Montuori’s person,” Officer Davis said. “I then asked him where he was coming from and he initially said Rindge but then corrected himself and said Lunenburg. I asked him how much he had to drink tonight and he said nothing. I asked again and he again said nothing.”

Officer Davis reported that after he informed Montuori he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person, Montuori changed his answer and stated he had consumed one beer.

“I asked him why he lied to me and he said he worked for the town for years and was on the fire department. I explained to him that none of that mattered,” Officer Davis said. “I expressed to him that he had more than one beer and he continued to say he only had one beer. I then explained that it took him awhile to pull over and he said he could not see me.”

Officer Davis stated that as he waited for Montuori to hand him his license, Montuori again said he had worked for the town for many years and had served on the fire department, and Officer Davis reiterated that this was not relevant to the stop.

“I returned to my cruiser to run the vehicle and operator’s information and request a backup unit to assist with the roadside investigation,” Officer Davis said. “The vehicle and operator information all came back valid and active.”

Officer Davis said that he returned to speak with Montuori and explained that he wanted to ensure Montuori was able to safely operate a motor vehicle.

“I asked him if he would consent to standard field sobriety tests and he said he was fine,” Officer Davis said. “I asked him what he was fine to do and he said drive. I explained to him that I would be determining if he was safe to drive and not him.”

Officer Davis said he told Montuori that he believed he had consumed more than one drink that evening and Montuori again replied stating that he only had one.

“Montuori did agree to the standardized field sobriety tests and attempted to get out of the vehicle without being instructed to,” Officer Davis said. “I explained to him to stay in the vehicle and that he was having trouble following simple directions.”

At approximately 10:40 p.m., Officer Davis said Officer Ethan Goodreau arrived on scene to assist.

“Montuori was asked to exit the vehicle,” Officer Davis said. “When Montuori exited the vehicle, he appeared unsteady on his feet and stumbled while walking to the back of his vehicle. Montuori also had trouble standing straight and kept his hands in his pockets to try and keep balance.”

Officer Davis said that he attempted to conduct the standardized field sobriety tests, but was unable to complete them because Montuori “kept complaining” that he was cold and had a prior leg injury.

“While standing roadside Montuori almost fell forward into me,” Officer Davis added.

Officer Davis said that while he conducted the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test with Montuori he “did observe a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained nystagmus as maximum deviation and onset prior to 45 degrees.”

According to findlaw.com, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test is a field sobriety test where an officer has an individual follow an object (such as a pen tip or pen light) with his/her eyes. The HGN test checks for the involuntary jerking of one’s eyes as they gaze side to side. This involuntary jerkiness is said to increase while under the influence of alcohol.

The next field sobriety test Officer Davis conducted with Montuori was the walk and turn test.

The walk-and-turn test requires the individual to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line with their hands at their sides for about nine steps (counted out loud), then turn around and return to the starting point in the same way.

“While attempting to do the walk and turn test, I was only able to explain step one of the test which Montuori could not understand and do,” Officer Davis said. “After explaining and demonstrating step one, the starting position, Montuori would just start walking with his hands out. He continued having trouble following any of the directions I was giving him and then just started complaining about how cold it was.”

Officer Davis said he then asked Montuori if he would submit to a portable breath test and he refused.

“Based on my roadside investigation, I placed Montuori under arrest for operating under the influence of alcohol,” Officer Davis said. “Montuori was placed in handcuffs, checked for tightness and double locked. He was placed in the rear passenger side of my cruiser without incident. Officer Goodreau stood by for the tow while I transported Montuori back to the station without incident.”

Officer Davis said that when he arrived at the Ashby Police Department, he brough Montuori into the booking area and began booking him “per department policy.”

“I read him his Miranda warnings, which he signed, but showed clear confusion on the part of waiving his rights to talk to me or not, so he did not initial that area, and I explained that I would not ask any questions regarding the incident,” Officer Davis said.

Officer Davis stated that he then read Montuori the statutory rights and consent form. Montuori ultimately agreed to the breath test at 11:23 p.m., at which time Officer Davis began the 15-minute observation period.

“I did have to explain the penalties several times to Montuori because he was having trouble understanding what would happen to his license if he passed, failed, or refused,” Officer Davis said. “While waiting, Montuori stated that he actually had two beers, not one.”

After completing the 15-minute observation period, Officer Davis administered the breath test using an Alcotest 9510.

“Montuori failed to provide valid breath samples and the test auto terminated because he was not blowing hard and long enough,” Officer Davis said. “Montuori was advised if that happened again I would process it as a refusal.”

Officer Davis then administered two breath tests. The first result was 0.17% at 11:48 p.m., and the second result was 0.17% at 11:54 p.m.

“Final test results showed a 0.17% BAC [blood alcohol content]. The test results were printed along with the suspension letter that was provided to Montuori,” Officer Davis said. Adding, “The rest of the booking process was completed without incident.”

Montuori was arraigned in Ayer District Court on Jan. 9, 2026. During his arraignment, Judge Ed Karcasinas entered the disposition for the OUI–Liquor charge as an admission to sufficient facts but continued the case without a finding until Jan. 9, 2027. Montuori was placed on probation through that date, ordered to complete a 24 day first-offender alcohol education program, will face a 45-day loss of his driver’s license, and was fined $600 in statutory fees and assessments. Judge Karcasinas waived the travel restriction as part of Montuori’s disposition.

Montuori was found not responsible for the number plate and noncompliant aftermarket lighting violations.

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Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the arrest in this story took place in January, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.

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