Maine Man Accused of Running Over Family Arrested (Again) Following Pursuit

According to an article on the WCSH 6 website, a Mattawamkeag man who was arrested earlier this month in connection with a crash that injured a family of four during Lincoln's Loonfest is now facing a new series of criminal charges following an alleged police pursuit Sunday night.

According to a representative for the Lincoln Police Department, officers responded after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting an erratic driver on Lee Road. The people calling in reportedly told police that a white pickup truck was weaving through the road and nearly collided with several vehicles.

Police identified the driver as 57-year-old Carl Hartley.  When an officer attempted a traffic stop, investigators say Hartley refused to pull over, leading officers toward downtown Lincoln before turning into a parking lot behind businesses on Main Street.

Authorities allege Hartley then turned his truck around and drove directly at the pursuing cruiser, striking the driver's side and temporarily trapping the officer inside.  The officer was not injured and exited through the passenger side before taking Hartley into custody without further incident.

Police said Hartley had been released from the Penobscot County Jail on bail just days earlier following his arrest in connection with the July 18 Loonfest crash that injured four members of the same family.  Those injured included the mother and several small children.

Officers said Hartley registered a 0.00 blood alcohol concentration after Sunday's arrest.  However, investigators believe he was under the influence of drugs based on an officer's observations and an evaluation by a certified drug recognition expert. Toxicology results are still pending.

Hartley has been charged with criminal operating under the influence, aggravated criminal mischief, refusing to stop for a law enforcement officer, driving to endanger, and violating conditions of release. He is being held at the Penobscot County Jail.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the Lincoln Police Department is asking anyone who witnessed Hartley's vehicle before the pursuit to contact investigators.