Four Maine State Troopers were launched into the air when an allegedly stoned driver plowed into them Sunday — and then dared to claim, “It wasn’t my fault,’’ witnesses said.
“All I saw was bright lights and bodies flying,” said Misty Huber to WGME.
Donna Miller, another witness, said suspect Tyler Croston, 24, made excuses immediately after he struck the cops in Hollis.
“Guy got out of the car and was like, ‘It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t my fault. The lights blinded me,’ ” Miller told the outlet.
Huber of Hollis had been speaking with state Troopers Jake Mowry, Shane St. Pierre, David Lemieux and Dakota Stewart by her driveway Sunday night about a family dispute complaint when a red 2017 Subaru WRX suddenly slammed into the officers.
Mowry, 28, took the full force of the car’s impact, which tossed him into the nearby woods, state police said.
The officer was rushed to the hospital for surgery and was listed in serious but stable condition.
Driver Tyler Croston, 24, was arrested over the crash — and denied bail after police noted he violated two bail conditions from previous domestic violence charges. York County Sheriff's Office
Trooper-Recruit Shane St. Pierre, 22, is undergoing surgery after also being struck by the Subaru. Maine State PoliceTrooper-Recruit St. Pierre, 22, is also undergoing surgery, with Lemieux and Stewart, both 33, treated and released with broken bones.
Croston and his passenger, Amber Gedaro, 27, also suffered minor injuries.
The Westbrook man was arrested after being released from the hospital.
He was charged with aggravated OUI, aggravated driving to endanger and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
A red 2017 Subaru WRX slammed into the officers while they were handling a case off Route 202 in Hollis, Maine. York County Sheriff's Office
Officials said there was evidence that Croston was high when he crashed his car into the officers. York County Sheriff's OfficeYork County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeremy Forbes said the case remains under investigation, with police recovering evidence from Croston’s vehicle suggesting he was high on marijuana at the time of the incident.
Officials said there were no signs Croston slowed down when he approached the cop cars off Route 202, with his vehicle hopping the curb and striking the troopers.
Police noted that Croston is also facing charges for violating two bail conditions over domestic violence charges.
He is currently being held at York County Jail and is not eligible for bail.
He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
