Two law enforcement officers were injured and a father and son charged with multiple offenses following a high-speed chase Thursday night on Interstate 95 in Pittsfield.
The chase occurred after Pittsfield police received a call about a vehicle operating erratically in that town, according to a press release from Shannon Moss, public information officer for the state Department of Public Safety. Police shared the information about the vehicle with state and county law enforcement agencies in the area, and around 7:25 p.m. Thursday, state troopers found the vehicle in a ditch off I-95 in Pittsfield, according to the release, issued at 3 p.m. Friday.
The trooper found the driver, Joseph Chambers, 46, of Palmyra, and his son, Devin Chambers, 25, of Augusta, and determined that Joseph Chambers was impaired, according to the release:
“While investigating, Joseph (Chambers) sped away from the scene and led Maine State Police on a high-speed pursuit southbound. During the pursuit, Joseph attempted to reverse direction on the interstate and ram the trooper’s cruiser. At one point, Devin (Chambers) exited the vehicle and became a pedestrian on I-95. Devin then attempted to break out Joseph’s side window to get back in the truck. An officer from the Pittsfield Police Department arrived on the scene to assist and Joseph attempted to back his vehicle up into both cruisers.”
A second trooper arrived, and they used a “pursuit immobilization technique,” which disabled Joseph’s vehicle, according to the news release. Moss described the maneuver as “a tactic where a police cruiser gently hits the subject’s rear bumper forcing the car to turn sideways abruptly, causing the driver to lose control and stop.”
While officers were trying to arrest Joseph Chambers, Devin Chambers physically attacked a trooper and Pittsfield police officer, it says. More law enforcement officers were called to help and both Chambers were taken into custody.
Joseph Chambers was charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, operating under the influence, eluding an officer and refusing to submit to arrest. Devin Chambers was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer and violation of probation.
The trooper and police officer received medical attention for minor injuries and were released from the hospital, according to the release. Moss said the officials’ names were not being released for personal privacy reasons.
Deputies from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and rescue personnel from Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield assisted at the scene. Both Chambers were taken to the Somerset County Correctional Facility in East Madison.
State Police and Pittsfield Police said in the release that they appreciated help from other agencies, including medical personnel.
“We are grateful our officers are OK and are proud of their courageous efforts in protecting the public from any harm,” it says.
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