Cumberland County deputies responded to a report of a head-on crash near 1128 Lewiston Road in New Gloucester on Saturday afternoon.
When they arrived, officers discovered that a man had fled the scene and a K-9 search ensued.
William Werner, 33, of Portland, was found hiding in someone’s nearby basement on Peacock Road, a half of a mile from the crash, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
He was transported to Central Maine Medical Center after being discovered. He was taken into custody without incident.
Why Werner fled the scene is unknown, and neither speed nor alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash, according to the sheriff’s office.
Werner’s 1997 Ford F150 truck sustained considerable damage and was towed from the scene.
The second driver, Bo Maietta, 40, of Arcata, Ca., was driving his 2018 Ford F150 truck northbound when he was struck head on by Werner, who crossed the center line, the sheriff’s office said in a prepared statement. Maietta was evaluated at the scene and released. His truck also sustained considerable damage.
Traffic on the Lewiston Road was reduced to one lane as authorities worked to clear the scene Saturday afternoon. That prompted traffic congestion for about half of a mile in both directions.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
