CLAREMONT — A Claremont district court judge denied bail to an 18-year-old drunk driving suspect accused of killing a 53-year-old White River Junction man, as the case officially moves to a higher court.
At a district court in Claremont on Monday, Michael Martin III waived his right to a probable cause hearing, allowing his case to automatically be heard in Sullivan Superior Court.
He did, however, ask to be released from jail.
Martin, a Claremont resident, has been charged with two Class B felonies: reckless conduct using a deadly weapon; and aggravated driving under the influence, causing a collision and serious bodily injury.
Assistant County Attorney John Proctor plans to file a new felony charge of negligent homicide, since the driver of the other vehicle, Clayton Ezequelle of White River Junction, died two days later as a result of the crash.
On the evening of Aug. 11, New Hampshire State Police responded to a vehicle crash on Route 12A in Plainfield, where a Toyota and Chevrolet were piled with severe damage off the River Road and Beauty Hill intersection.
Martin’s injuries included a collapsed lung and abdominal hernia. The Chevrolet driver suffered serious injuries to his lungs among other areas before he passed away. Martin’s passenger underwent surgery for a hip injury, the police affidavit said.
Police believe the driver of the Toyota, Martin, was intoxicated when he allegedly struck Ezequelle’s Chevrolet at a high rate of speed. Martin, his passenger, and Ezequelle were all transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center from the scene.
Defense Attorney Sara Virks asked the court to release Martin into a residential treatment program for alcohol abuse, with other safeguards in place such as pre-trial services and electronic monitoring. If cash bail is requested, Virks suggested $3,000.
Virks noted that Martin is young and struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues. She argued that he has a strong network of family support and should continue living in Claremont with his parents and nearby extended family following treatment.
“We recognize the significance of this charge, the tragedy of this charge, but we’re just asking the court to allow Mr. Martin to get the help that he needs,” said Virks.
Assistant County Attorney John Proctor, left, asks Judge Sarah Christie at a Claremont district court on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, to continue holding Michael Martin III without bail as he plans to file an additional charge of negligent homicide against him. Clayton Ezequelle, of White River Junction, the driver of a second vehicle, died of his injuries two days after a crash in Plainfield in which police say Martin was traveling at a high rate of speed while intoxicated. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News Credit: Valley News – James M. Patterson
Proctor, however, responded that Martin’s family did not prevent him from committing the alleged crime in the first place, which he added involved driving 100 miles per hour through a four-way stop sign, extremely inebriated.
“He’s lucky he didn’t take all three lives that were involved in this accident, said Proctor. “Including his own.”
At the hospital, State Trooper Brandon Rivard spoke with Martin after the accident, who, according to the affidavit, claimed he was traveling at 40 to 45 miles per hour before swerving left at the intersection to avoid another vehicle. His parent, however, confirmed to police via a phone-tracking app that Martin reached speeds of 100 to 105 miles per hour.
Martin denied consumption of alcohol that day, but Rivard noted an odor of alcohol on his breath and red, watery eyes. Though he refused a breathalyzer test, hospital staff confirmed his blood alcohol content was 0.22. For reference, the legal driving limit for adults over 21 years old is 0.08, and at 0.15, a person is already experiencing severe impairment.
At the Monday hearing, Martin attended in person upon temporary release from the Sullivan County Department of Corrections, joined by approximately 10 family members, including his parents.
Proctor shared that he is waiting on technical evidence to file negligent homicide charges in consideration of Ezequelle’s death.
The maximum penalty for the Class B felonies of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, contrary to RSA 631:3, and for aggravated driving under the influence, contrary to RSA 265-A:3, is seven years in prison and a $4,000 fine.
But the proposed new charge could double Martin’s potential sentence.
Negligent homicide resulting from a fatal DUI crash is typically designated as a Class A felony, which means Martin could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Sarah Christie said she could not overlook the evidence against Martin and ruled that he would remain in jail until the superior court could address the situation.
“I also believe that Mr. Martin needs treatment, but I don’t think now is the time to be released for that,” said Christie.
