HALLOWELL — One of Hallowell’s two marked police cruisers was seriously damaged Sunday when it was struck from behind by a teenage driver who was apparently driving too fast for the road condition on Water Street.
Sgt. Christopher Giles said he was preparing to turn into the Public Works parking lot on Water Street shortly after 8 p.m. to discuss the upcoming inclement weather when his vehicle was struck from behind by a Jeep Cherokee driven by a 16-year-old boy from Gardiner.
Giles said he estimated the other vehicle was traveling at about 35 mph when it struck his 2017 Ford Explorer. He was taken to the hospital to be evaluated and was released.
Giles said the driver of the Cherokee, who declined medical treatment, had two passengers, both teens, who were related to him.
In addition to the Hallowell Fire Department, two officers and a rescue unit from Augusta also responded. Giles said the officers were helpful in directing traffic around the crash.
Giles said the department will file an insurance claim and is working to replace the damaged vehicle as soon as possible. With this accident, the Hallowell Police Department has only two vehicles, one marked, the other unmarked. All of the department’s vehicles are Ford Explorers, from 2016, 2017 and 2019. Giles said the useful life of a police vehicle is generally four years.
The Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.
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