A Fort Fairfield man escaped serious injury in a single-vehicle crash Saturday night, July 4, but was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, police said Sunday.
Grayden Griffeth, 18, was southbound on Route 1A in his 2008 Chevy Avalanche when he lost control of his vehicle, which struck a guardrail. Griffeth, who was wearing his seatbelt, left the road and his vehicle went down a steep embankment and rolled onto its side, police said.
The airbags inflated, but Griffeth still suffered minor injuries, Maine State Police Trooper Steve Mahon reported.
Griffeth refused medical treatment, police said.
Mahon said that speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, and Griffeth was charged with OUI.
The Houlton Regional Communications Center had received a report of an erratic driver on that stretch of road at about 10:53 p.m., and a second report minutes later about the single-vehicle crash.
No bail or court information was available Sunday night.
