PI man arrested, charged with driving ATV under the influence

6 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A local man was arrested Monday after allegedly riding an ATV on private property without permission while under the influence and then driving the vehicle into the Aroostook River.  

An officer with the Maine Warden Service arrested Lee Theriault of Presque Isle Monday and charged him with operating an ATV under the influence of drugs, according to Sgt. Durward Humphrey of the warden service.

Humphrey said that police dispatch received a call Monday of someone operating an ATV erratically on private land without landowner permission.

When Warden Ed Christie arrived on the scene, Theriault was apparently “attempting to drive a three wheel ATV across the Aroostook River,” Humphrey said.

The warden was assisted by members of the Presque Isle Police Department in arresting Theriault and removing the ATV from the river.

Officers gage Theriault a test for drug recognition, which showed he was under the influence of drugs, Humphrey said. Humphrey said it was not clear what substance or substances were present.

Police later transported Theriault to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, Humphrey said.