Lincoln, Maine Police Say Driver Hit Family, Then Struck Cruiser Days Later

A man accused of hitting a family of four with his vehicle in Lincoln is now accused of ramming a police cruiser.

Maine Man Faces Charges for a Pedestrian Crash and a Police Cruiser Collision

Carl Hartley, 57, of Mattawamkeag, is facing new charges after a police pursuit and crash with a law enforcement cruiser.

This incident occurred just days after Hartley was released on bail from the Penobscot County Jail on charges related to a pedestrian crash at Loonfest in which he allegedly hit a family of four as they walked on a Lincoln sidewalk.

The father, mother, and two very young children were all hospitalized, with the mother suffering multiple broken bones.

The latest incident began Sunday evening when the Lincoln Police Department learned of an erratic driver in a white pickup truck traveling inbound on Lee Road.

Maine Man Accused of Intentionally Ramming a Police Cruiser in Lincoln

Callers told dispatchers the driver was weaving across the roadway, entering the ditch, crossing the center line, and nearly striking oncoming traffic.

Officers became involved in a pursuit of the truck that traveled onto Main Street in Lincoln and entered a parking lot behind the downtown buildings.

At one point, Hartley turned his truck around and drove directly toward the pursuing cruiser, striking the driver's side and temporarily trapping the officer inside.

The Lincoln officer wasn't hurt in the crash and exited the cruiser through the passenger side, safely taking Hartley into custody without further incident.

Mattawamkeag, Maine Man Faces Charges After Allegedly Hitting a Lincoln Cop Car

A test of Hartley's blood showed no alcohol in his system, so that, paired with an evaluation conducted by a certified Drug Recognition Expert, led the police to develop probable cause that he was operating under the influence of drugs.

Hartley voluntarily consented to a blood draw, the results of which are pending.

He is currently charged with:

Criminal operating under the influence - drugs
Aggravated criminal mischief
Refusing to stop for a law enforcement officer
Driving to endanger
Violation of conditions of release.

This investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.

Anyone who witnessed the vehicle traveling on Lee Road or Main Street before the arrest, or who has additional information about this incident, is encouraged to contact the Lincoln Police Department at 207-794-2221.

We'll update this story as more details become available.