A man in Lincoln, Maine, was arrested after allegedly hitting a family of four, including a 3-month-old infant. However, he was released days later, and shortly after, he was driving erratically, fled from police, and even rammed his vehicle into a patrol car, police said.
According to the Lincoln Police Department (LPD), the latest incident occurred on Sunday, July 26. At around 6:50 p.m., authorities received multiple reports of a vehicle traveling recklessly.
The LPD was informed that a white pickup truck was weaving across the roadway, crossing the center line, and nearly striking oncoming traffic. Moments later, the vehicle was spotted on Lee Road.
A traffic stop was initiated. However, despite the sirens and emergency lights, the driver is accused of ignoring the patrol car.
Pursuit and Collision
In an attempt to avoid the pursuing officers, the driver entered a parking lot behind some businesses. At one point, the truck turned around and drove straight toward a cruiser, police said.
The pickup truck struck the driver’s side of the cruiser, momentarily trapping the officer behind the wheel. However, the cop managed to exit the patrol car through the passenger’s side.
Uninjured, the officer managed to successfully took the driver into custody. The man was none other than 57-year-old Carl Hartley, who had been involved in a previous violent incident involving a family of four, WABI reported.
Previous Crash
Back on July 18, a little more than a week before Hartley’s latest arrest, LPD officers responded to the intersection of Main Street and West Broadway. In a previous news release, the LPD reported that a vehicle crash involving multiple pedestrians had taken place during the Loonfest community festival.
A vehicle had struck a family of four, with one member trapped underneath the car, who was extricated promptly. One adult female, 24, was airlifted to a local hospital, while three additional victims, a 29-year-old male, a 5-year-old child, and a 3-month-old infant, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“The preliminary investigation determined that the vehicle traveled through the intersection, left the roadway, drove onto the sidewalk, and struck the family of four as they were walking on the sidewalk,” the LPD said in its release.
Arrested and Charged, Twice
The vehicle’s driver was identified as Carl Hartley, the same individual who was then involved in the chase detailed above. Police said that he was not impaired by alcohol, but officers observed signs of drug impairment and later found illegal drugs and drug-related contraband in his vehicle.
At the time, he was charged with aggravated operating under the influence and unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs. According to WABI, he was released days later after posting his $10,000 bail.
Officers observed similar signs after he was arrested following the July 26 incident. He now faces additional charges, including criminal operating under the influence – drugs, aggravated criminal mischief, refusing to stop for a law enforcement officer, driving to endanger, and violation of conditions of release.
As of Monday, July 27, Hartley remains in custody at Penobscot County Jail. Blood toxicology analysis results are pending. Reportedly, the man has a decades-long criminal history, including three different OUIs, criminal assault, and burglary.