NH teens arrested after 1,000-mile trip ending in U.S. 231 accident

Jenna Smith and Jonathan Wood

CLOVERDALE -- Two New Hampshire juveniles -- missing for a week -- were arrested in Putnam County Friday afternoon more than 1,000 miles away after being involved in a car accident north of Cloverdale.

Jonathan Wood, 15, and Jenna Smith, 14, were located at approximately 1:30 p.m. Friday after a property-damage accident on U.S. 231 at County Road 700 South (Belle Union Road), Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported. (The juveniles’ names are being used, contrary to normal Banner Graphic policy, due to extensive Internet coverage of their missing status).

The two were known to be a couple. However, authorities knew of no incident that may have precipitated the two leaving their hometown on Feb. 11, Exeter Police Chief Stephan Poulin said.

Two missing New Hampshire teens were located in Putnam County after they wrecked the stolen vehicle they were driving.

Courtesy Putnam County Sheriff’s Office

Putnam County deputies responded to a call reporting a motor vehicle accident when the reporting party, Marcia Reeves, stated that her vehicle was rear-ended while slowing down for another vehicle that was turning onto CR 700 South.

When both vehicles came to a stop, Reeves said she observed two “kids” jump out of the other vehicle and flee the scene.

Upon arrival, deputies would learn that the vehicle was reported stolen out of New Hampshire by the two juvenile suspects.

After searching the area for approximately 35 minutes, deputies located Wood and Smith, apprehending them at an abandoned home north of the accident scene.

Although too young to have driver’s licenses, they were reportedly driving a gray 2016 Honda CRV with New Hampshire plates and a Honda Barn decal on the rear hatch. The vehicle belongs to a relative, Exeter police said. The CRV was identified as the vehicle involved in the crash.

“Whenever you have young teenagers without a license driving a car, that’s a reason to worry about their safety,” Exeter Police Chief Stephan Poulin told the East Coast website Seacoastline.com.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said that after being checked out by medical professionals, the two juveniles were transported to the Vigo County Juvenile Detention facility. The Sheriff’s Office has been in direct contact with Exeter New Hampshire police detectives and family members to arrange for the return of two juveniles to New Hampshire.

The search for the pair began after they were reported missing on Feb. 11.

“This has been a very difficult time for their family and friends and we’re thankful they were located and no one was injured in the accident,” Exeter Chief Poulin said.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 16 Superintendent David Ryan reacted to the news via a prepared statement.

“We are so happy to hear that Jenna and John have been found unharmed in Indiana after a weeklong search,” Ryan told reporters in Exeter. “We are thankful to the Exeter Police Department, Indiana law enforcement and all corresponding agencies for their action and diligence in this process to help find our two students. We are so happy for the Smith and Wood families as these have been incredibly difficult days for them, and we join them in celebrating this news.”