High-Speed Chase Ends When Rental Car Overturns

A high-speed chase in southern Maine ended when police put out spike mats and the rental car being pursued overturned.

Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says a Portland man was injured Tuesday morning after his car overturned along Route 35 in Standish. Police initially began pursuing the vehicle in Freeport when local police recognized 33-year-old Raymond Ireland behind the wheel. Ireland was wanted on a number of charges.

Freeport Police broke off the chase but State Troopers later spotted the vehicle on the Falmouth spur of the turnpike. They began to chase Ireland, but broke off because of Ireland's erratic driving. The car was later tracked down in the Gorham-Standish area and Troopers, assisted by Cumberland County Deputies, found the car and chased it along Route 35.

The chase ended when deputies put out spike mats that deflated the fleeing car's tires. The car, which was overdue from Enterprise Car Rental, overturned near Woodrow Drive and came to rest on its wheels.

Ireland is being treated at Maine Medical Center in Portland for non-life threatening injuries. Charges from this morning's chase will be lodged against Ireland, once he gets out of the hospital.