Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS The windshield of Londonderry resident Michael Conry's vehicle was shattered by snow and ice that flew from a box truck last week in Londonderry. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

LONDONDERRY – Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of Derry resident Richard Leiter, 60, in connection with the Dec. 9 incident in which a Londonderry man was seriously injured when ice and snow flew off Leiter’s truck and crashed through the man’s windshield.

Police Capt. Patrick Cheetham said Leiter turned himself in to Officer Daniel Perry shortly after noon on Wednesday, and has “cooperated with investigating officers, both on the scene of the crash and by voluntarily turning himself in.”

First responders called to the incident, which took place on Nashua Road (Route 102) just west of Young Road, found a Honda Civic on the side of the road with a smashed-out windshield and the driver, later identified as Litchfield resident Michael Conry, 22, lying on the ground next to the car suffering from serious facial injuries.

The incident is precisely the type of scenario that state legislators, in signing into law a negligent driving statute known as Jessica’s Law, hoped to avoid in the future.

The law, which requires motorists to clear snow and ice from their vehicles before driving on public roads, is named for Jessica Smith, the young Peterborough woman killed in 1999 when chunks of ice flew off the roof of a truck and hit another truck, causing the driver to lose control and crash head-on into the car Smith was driving.

Photo by Londonderry police Chunks of snow, ice and shattered glass are scattered about the interior of Michael Conry's vehicle after the snow and ice flew off a truck and crashed through the windshield last week. (Photo by Londonderry police)

In announcing Leiter’s arrest, Cheetham also said the department, in conjunction with state police, has scheduled a press conference for Friday in an effort to renew focus on Jessica’s Law.

The in-person conference begins at 2 p.m. outside the main entrance to Londonderry police headquarters at 268A Mammoth Road.

Among the speakers will be Peterborough police Chief Scott Guinard, who was among the officers who responded to the crash that killed Smith.

Cheetham said Conry had hoped to attend as well, but his injuries “prohibit him from speaking publicly at this time.” Since the incident, Conry has been undergoing medical procedures at local and Boston hospitals “to repair the injuries he sustained, and to remove numerous pieces of glass from both his eyes,” Cheetham said.

Conry did ask Cheetham to relay a message to motorists: “Please take two minutes to brush off your car or truck. It could literally save a life … it almost took mine.”

Richard Leiter, age 60, of Derry

Leiter, meanwhile, is charged with one count each of vehicular assault and reckless conduct, both Class A misdemeanors, and one count of negligent driving, a violation-level offense.

He was booked on the charges and later released on personal recognizance bail pending arraignment, which Cheetham said is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 17 in Derry district court.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.