Skowhegan man allegedly drives car from Augusta to Hallowell on Kennebec River Rail Trail

AUGUSTA — A Skowhegan man allegedly drove his Chevrolet sedan almost 2 miles on the Kennebec River Rail Trail on Wednesday afternoon, entering the trail at Water Street in Augusta and getting stopped by police near an old fuel depot at Hinkley Point in Hallowell.

The man reportedly was taking an Australian friend sightseeing when he drove his car onto the paved trail under Memorial Bridge in Augusta, then continued south, said Sgt. Christian Behr, of the Augusta Police Department.

The driver, Lawrence Goldsmith, 53, missed the sign that says no motorized vehicles, besides wheelchairs, are allowed on the trail, Behr added. The trail — which runs 6.5 miles from Augusta to Gardiner — is popular among walkers, runners and bicyclists.

Augusta police don’t plan to charge Goldsmith with any infractions. Hallowell police Chief Eric Nason didn’t return a call immediately seeking comment Wednesday afternoon.

“I can’t speak for (Hallowell police), but it was a sort of a traffic infraction where a warning was issued,” Behr said. “There was no erratic operation that could cause injuries.”

No one was in danger because of the mistake, Behr said. It was first reported to police around 1:45 p.m. by pedestrians who saw the sedan driving along the trail.

Charles Eichacker — 621-5642

[email protected]

Twitter: @ceichacker

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