March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Man, 19, allegedly rammed students > 7 injured when car hits UMPI group

PRESQUE ISLE — A Washburn man has been charged with elevated aggravated assault after he allegedly deliberately drove his car into a group of students on the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus Saturday night and injured seven people.

Linwood L. Rushinal Jr., 19, who is not a student at the school, and several of his friends went to the campus and allegedly became involved in an altercation with a group of students outside Emerson Hall, according to Sgt. Joey Seeley of the Presque Isle Police Department.

At about 9:20 p.m., Seeley said, Rushinal returned to his 1992 Geo Storm and subsequently drove it into the crowd of students.

“He drove right through them with total disregard for human life,” Seeley said.

Rushinal fled, but was apprehended by police two minutes later on Main Street. He has been charged with elevated aggravated assault, a Class A felony punishable by up to 40 years in prison, and assault.

Seeley said additional charges are pending against Rushinal, and the case is expected to be presented to the Aroostook County grand jury.

Rushinal made his initial court appearance Monday morning in 2nd District Court in Houlton and is being held at the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton on a probation violation. Bail was set at $2,000 double surety or $1,000 cash.

The incident occurred while students were celebrating Spring Fling Weekend on campus, an annual event created to give them one last break before final exams and end-of-the-year projects. The weekend includes live bands and outdoor events, including a barbecue and volleyball.

Police are still trying to determine what prompted the fight between Rushinal’s group and the students, as well as what role Rushinal’s friends played in the incident.

Seeley said injuries to the students ranged from bruises, cuts and scrapes to broken bones. Some of the students were injured when they were struck by the car, while others were hurt when they fell down.

Five students suffered minor injuries, while two others suffered more serious injuries, including one who was admitted to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle.

Michael Martin, 19, of Madawaska was listed in stable condition with a broken leg, a broken clavicle, and various bruises and head injuries, according to Seeley.

Also injured was Jeffrey Sock, 18, of Caribou, who suffered abrasions and cuts to his head and side, and had to have stitches near his right eye; James Wolfgang, 18, of Bozrah, Conn., who received shoulder injuries and scrapes and bruises on his arms; and Jamie McPheters, 19, of West Enfield, who suffered a bruised elbow.

Others injured were Jeremy Pelkey, 18, Caribou, who suffered a sprained knee, neck pain, and cuts, scrapes and bruises on both arms; and Edward Cowan Jr., 21, of Presque Isle, who suffered a knee injury and complained of back pain. A 17-year-old juvenile from Presque Isle who was visiting friends on campus also was injured. He received abrasions and bruises to his back and upper legs.

As a result of the crash, Seeley said Rushinal’s car received an estimated $2,500 in damage, including a broken windshield and the driver’s side mirror. The car has been impounded by police.

Presque Isle Officers Tim McCue, Dwight Wilcox, Mark Barnes, Wayne Selfridge and Kevin Murchie assisted Seeley.


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