A New Hampshire man is charged with gunning down a bartender he was dating last week.

Stephen Field, 39, came to authorities’ attention after a car crash last week in which he fled the scene and was brought down by a police dog, WBTS reported. Police in Exeter, where the crash took place, said that comments he made after he was in custody prompted them to contact Newmarket police for a welfare check at the home of Kylie Fritz, 38.

Officers found Fritz dead at her apartment from an apparent gunshot wound.

Field has been charged with second degree murder and falsifying evidence in Fritz’s death. He was also charged with driving under the influence, conduct after an accident, and alcohol ignition interlock device circumvention. In the later charge, a previous DUI conviction required Field to have a device installed on his car to prevent further instances of drunk driving, but he did not.

Friends said Fritz, the mother of a young son, and Field began dating several months ago. Fritz worked as a bartender at the Newmarket Polish American Club, which said in a Facebook post that she was “more than a beloved bartender.”

“She was a true friend to so many,” the club said. “We will always remember her radiant smile, laughter, and warm sense of humor.”

Field is due in court on Wednesday, WGME said.