The Maine Department of Public Safety reports that while investigating a “family dispute,” four state troopers were hit by a car on the side of the road and suffered injuries.
The event occurred late Sunday night in the town of Hollis, which is located outside of Portland, and the 24-year-old driver is now reportedly responsible.
According to a statement from the Maine Department of Public Safety, troopers Shane St. Pierre, Jake Mowry, David Lemieux, Dakota Stewart, and recruit Shane Mowry “responded to a family dispute/complaint at the intersection of Hollis Road (Rte 202) and Star Lane in the town of Hollis” at around 10 p.m.
According to the authorities, at about 11:12 p.m., a car travelling eastbound allegedly drove into the area where the four law enforcement officials were interviewing a suspect and “struck all four Troopers.”
“The vehicle was operated by a 24-year-old male from Westbrook. He also had a passenger in the vehicle,” the Maine Department of Public Safety said. “It is unknown at this time why the vehicle drove into the breakdown lane.”
The driver, Tyler Croston, who was named by the York County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, was transported to a Portland hospital with minor wounds.
Later, he was accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated, aggravated endangering others, and reckless behaviour with a deadly weapon.
According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, the female passenger in Croston’s Subaru WRX, who was 27 years old, received medical attention and was later released.
“Croston also had two sets of bail conditions and has been charged with violating those conditions of release,” the sheriff’s office said.
“The Troopers were also transported to Maine Medical Center (MMC). Trooper Stewart was treated and released from the hospital with several broken bones in his right foot,” the Maine Department of Public Safety said. “Troopers Lemieux, Mowry and Trooper Recruit St. Pierre remain at MMC and are being treated for their serious but non-life-threatening injuries.”
Authorities have released pictures of the allegedly-damaged vehicle that hit the troopers.
The car’s windscreen is broken, and the front bumper on the driver’s side seems to have been harmed.
Croston, who is being jailed without bail, is scheduled to appear in court for the first time on Wednesday.
