Presque Isle Man Faces Charges in OUI Crash

A 27-year-old Presque Isle man has been charged with operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident after police say he crashed his car in Mapleton Monday evening.

Trooper Ted Martin of the Maine State Police responded to a vehicle crash on the Pease Road in Mapleton at around 6:30 p.m. The trooper observed a 1996 Honda Accord with damage parked in a private driveway, according to a news release.

State Police say the vehicle had been traveling north on the Pease Road at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control on a curve and went off the roadway.

Before police arrived, the driver allegedly moved the car into the driveway and fled into the woods. State Troopers, Sheriff's Deputies, and Game Wardens converged on the area.

Police say there were several sightings during the search but the man would run back into the woods and officers would lose sight of him in the thick underbrush.  At about 9:00 p.m., Trooper Martin located the man in a swamp and took him into custody.

State Police say 27-year-old Andrew Legassie of Presque Isle was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, OUI, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, and violation of conditions of release.

Legassie was transported to the Aroostook County Jail.