Police chase ends in crash

16 years ago

By Ben Austin
Staff Writer

    A high speed chase with police last week ended when the driver of the fleeing car lost control of his vehicle, smashing into a tree on the side of B Road.
    Matthew Benn, 25 of Hammond, was erratically driving toward Hammond Sunday night, August 10, when he passed Officer Troy Fitzpatrick, driving at excessive speeds of about 25 miles per hour over the speed limit.
    Fitzpatrick started to pursue Benn, turning on his lights and siren, and quickly noticed that the car continued to speed, without acknowledging the police car behind him.
    The chase went on for approximately five minutes, covering a length of 6.6 miles. Eventually, when the road came to a curve, Benn failed to maneuver his speeding vehicle around the turn. Due to his failure to control the vehicle, Benn crashed head on into a tree.
    Benn did not sustain any serious injuries. After complaining of neck pains, Benn was treated and released from Houlton Regional Hospital.
    The twenty-five year old was charged with operating under the influence, operating while a license was suspended or revoked, alluding an officer and violating conditions of release.