CHINA, Maine — Maine State Police say 30-year-old Trooper Mickael Nunez, who was hit by a car during a police chase in China on June 14 suffering a severely broken leg, was released from Maine General Medical Center on July 2. He was transported by Troopers to Massachusetts to begin his rehabilitation process.
A Caribou man faces a number of charges following the police chase that began in Waterville and ended on Route 3 in China.
The chase began along Interstate 95 in Waterville after another trooper had pulled 53-year-old Robert Belmain's car over. State police had received reports of a green sports car with no license plates driving erratically on Interstate 95.
After Belmain's car was pulled over, it took off driving erratically on the Interstate and proceeded on Route 3 in Augusta driving toward China. Speeds on both roads reached 100 miles per hour.
Belmain's high-speed chase came to an end when he struck a state trooper and crashed. Both men were being treated for injuries at Maine General in Augusta.
Trooper Nunez was hit by Belmain's car while he was outside his cruiser setting up spike strips to deflate Belmain's tires. Nunez was hit as he was attempting to retreat to a safe location along Route 3, near the Family Dollar store. Nunez is a three year veteran of the State Police.
Trooper Nunez was being treated for a severely broken leg and Belmain was treated for head injuries. Belmain was released from the hospital on Thursday, June 25, and was transported to the Kennebec County Jail. The most serious charge he faces is elevated aggravated assault and reckless conduct, in addition to several other charges.
State Police say Trooper Nunez expected to be out of state for approximately three weeks, and the rehabilitation is geared towards getting him back to work. The Massachusetts State Police assigned a Massachusetts State Trooper to be a liaison for Trooper Nunez and his family while he's at the rehab facility.