MERRIMACK – New Hampshire State Police said a Nashua man was charged with drunk driving early Sunday morning after the SUV he was driving left the Everett Turnpike and slammed into a tree, resulting in serious
injuries to his wife.

Craig A. Michaud, 41, was arrested shortly after the crash, which occurred at 2:13 a.m. and required Merrimack firefighters and rescue personnel to conduct an hour-long extrication operation to free his wife, Nashua resident Tara (Marandos) Michaud, also 41 and a longtime Nashua teacher now working in Manchester.

Police said they charged Craig Michaud with one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, a felony. He was not injured in the crash, police said.

The crash occurred in the southbound lanes of the Everett Turnpike near mile marker 13.4, police said. Authorities received calls for a serious crash with a person trapped in the wreckage. They said Craig Michaud was driving a 2007 Ford Explorer that was heavily damaged.

Medical personnel treating Tara Michaud at the scene called for a medical helicopter, which airlifted her to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston for treatment of what police called serious, but non-life threatening,
injuries.

Police closed the turnpike in both directions for about 30 minutes to allow the helicopter to land. They opened the northbound lane after the helicopter departed, but restricted southbound traffic to one lane for about 45 additional minutes while police investigated and crews worked to remove the vehicle and clear the scene.

Craig and Tara Michaud have been married about two months, according to various social media sites. Tara Michaud, who was an English teacher at Nashua High School South for a number of years, is currently teaching English at Manchester Memorial High and coaching the Trinity High volleyball team.

She is a granddaughter of the late Tony Marandos, Nashua High’s legendary head basketball coach and assistant football coach for some 30 years.

The Sunday morning crash remains under investigation, according to state police, who ask that anyone with any information on the incident to contact Trooper Jacob Wood at 223-4381.

– CHRIS GAROFOLO and DEAN SHALHOUP