NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine — A 48-year-old man was arrested following a crash involving a Cumberland County Sheriff's Office vehicle in New Gloucester Saturday night.
Just before midnight on Saturday, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office responded to Lewiston Road for a two-vehicle crash involving a sheriff's office vehicle, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
A Cumberland County Sheriff's Office deputy was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of the northbound lane of Lewiston Road when a third vehicle reportedly struck the rear driver's-side corner of the deputy's vehicle.
The deputy was outside of the parked cruiser conducting an unrelated investigation and speaking with the other driver at the time of the crash, the news release stated.
The sheriff's office said "disabling damage" was caused to both vehicles. No injuries were reported in the crash.
Christopher Clare, 48, of New Gloucester was identified as the operator of the suspect vehicle, a 2021 Toyota Corolla. Deputies said Clare was driving home from a local bar when his vehicle crashed into the deputy's cruiser.
Clare was arrested for allegedly operating under the influence. Deputies said Clare was found to have breath alcohol content of "nearly three times the legal limit."
Speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, the news release stated. The investigation is ongoing.
"Deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division were assisted by the Crash Reconstruction Unit, Windham Police Department and New Gloucester Fire Department," according to the release.
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