FORMAL CHARGES PENDING

Man arrested in fleeing crash scene in Waterville

Vehicle slammed into garage after clipping SUV

3/21/2013

A Waterville man was arrested and accused of fleeing the scene of a traffic accident after he crashed a car through a garage wall in Waterville early Wednesday, authorities said.

Waterville Police Chief David LaGrange said the 21-year-old was arrested about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at his apartment a few blocks from the crash scene. Charges of failure to control the vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with an expired vehicle registration, and possession of drug paraphernalia were pending.

The chief declined to release the suspect’s name until formal charges were filed.

According to reports, a 1998 Lincoln town car was being driven southbound on Anthony Wayne Trail just past downtown Waterville about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, when it clipped a Jeep sport utility vehicle in front of it, went out of control, and drove off the road. The car hit a gas-main valve and a pole, and then crashed through a wall of a detached garage at the rear of 210 Lexington Ave., the chief said.

The driver fled the scene, but blood spots he left behind worried police, Chief LaGrange said. A temporary tag number led police to his residence.

The suspect had superficial injuries from a deployed air bag that did not require hospitalization, the police chief said. A pipe considered to be drug paraphernalia was later recovered from the suspect’s car, he said.

The garage sustained extensive damage, the chief said. He did not provide a damage estimate.