MAINE, USA — Maine State Police are investigating two separate crashes involving state police cruisers.
Shortly after midnight Friday, a state trooper was responding to a crash in Gardiner, using his emergency lights and siren on the Maine Turnpike in Lewiston, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a news release.
During that time, a 2015 Ford pickup truck being driven by 24-year-old Javier Martinez of Waterville "swerved erratically" into the trooper's lane. The truck then struck the right side of the cruiser, causing minor damage to both vehicles.
No injuries were reported.
"Further investigation revealed Mr. Martinez was operating under the influence of alcohol," Moss said. "Mr. Martinez was summonsed for OUI and released pending a court hearing."
That same day, in the early morning hours, a state trooper was concluding a traffic stop on Route 1 in Gouldsboro. As he got back in his cruiser with the lights still activated following the stop, his cruiser was sideswiped by a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to Moss.
"The damage was relatively minor and there were no injuries to either party from the collision," the release stated.
Moss said the driver of the Jeep, 71-year-old Andrew Pratt of Cutler, has reportedly been the subject of several law enforcement interactions and traffic complaints.
"An adverse driving report was filed with Bureau of Motor Vehicles by a Trooper on July 4, 2024," the release said. "Pratt was summonsed for improper passing of a stationary emergency vehicle and another adverse driver report will be filed from this incident."
No additional details were released.
