BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The trial of a former Washington County Sheriff is underway in Bangor on Wednesday.
Donnie Smith is charged with reckless conduct and driving to endanger after police said he got into a confrontation with a woman. Smith said she tried to attack him.
The incident happened back in 2015 in Lubec.
Police said Deborah Haskins was driving on Route 189 when Donnie Smith -- who was driving in front of her -- slammed on his brakes twice.
Police believe he knew Haskell was behind him at the time.
They say Smith then got out of the car -- charged Haskins car, yelling and screaming and pulling at Haskins door.
Smith maintains that he stopped short because a cat ran in front of his car.
The defense said when Smith pulled over and stopped he got out of his car, walked back and talked to Haskins who had rolled her window down and told Haskins that she was following too close to him and that she should not do that. The defense said it was a "very brief encounter". The defense said Smith reported the incident.
There will be more updates to the story as the trial progresses.
Smith was the Sheriff in Washington County from 2007 to 2014.
