RAYMOND, Maine — A man has been charged with operating under the influence among other charges after causing a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday in Raymond.
At about 4:20 p.m., the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center received several calls reporting a multi-vehicle crash at the Route 302 intersection on Webbs Mills Road, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said in a release.
Several deputies and Raymond fire crews responded to the scene where it was found that 74-year-old Robert Pulieris of Raymond had been driving south in a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer on Webbs Mills Road when he struck the rear end of a 2021 Subaru Forester that was also traveling south.
Pulieris reportedly struck the Subaru a second time. The driver of the Subaru, 31-year-old Dylan Blackman of Raymond, and his family who were in the vehicle, were not injured, the release stated. Blackman pulled into the Good Life Market parking lot with extensive rear-end damage to his vehicle.
After striking Blackman's vehicle twice, Pulieris continued traveling south on Webbs Mills Road and struck a 2010 Mazda sedan that was stopped in traffic at the Route 302 intersection, deputies said.
The driver of the Mazda, 29-year-old Thomas Windsor, of Raymond, suffered minor injuries in the crash. His vehicle was totaled.
Deputies said the impact forced Windsor's vehicle into the rear-end of a 2023 Volkswagon sedan driven by 53-year-old Michael Binnette of Paris. Binnette was not injured, and his vehicle was towed from the scene due to "disabling damage."
During the crash, the impact also forced Binnette's vehicle into the rear-end of a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 22-year-old Mark Winter, of Raymond, who was not injured. Winter's vehicle sustained minor damage.
According to deputies, the crash caused traffic problems on Webbs Mills Road for nearly an hour.
Windham Fire and Rescue and Casco Rescue assisted at the scene.
Pulieris was taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center with minor injuries. Deputies said he was "highly intoxicated" at the time of the crash and was charged with operating under the influence of intoxicants, operating after suspension, and reckless conduct.
The sheriff's office said Pulieris was previously suspended for an OUI not related to the Wednesday incident.