4 arrested for skirmish at scene of accident involving Maine legislator

WASHINGTON – A minor car wreck involving a state legislator escalated into a fracas complete with tire irons and pepper spray after four friends of one of the drivers arrived at the accident scene, investigators said Tuesday.

When it was over, four people had been arrested, one had been taken to a hospital, and an investigator had been bitten on the arm.

“It was quite an adventure,” said state Rep. A. David Trahan, R-Waldoboro.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, Trahan was driving home from the State House in Augusta on Route 17 when, he told officers, he started to turn right onto Route 220.

He said he was heading east in a 1993 Plymouth sedan when another car tried to pass on the right and hit his car broadside. The second vehicle was a 1994 Pontiac sedan driven by Erin J. Greene, 20, of Augusta.

According to the sheriff’s report, Trahan said he had his right turn signal on. But Greene said the car’s left blinker was flashing.

Immediately after the accident, Trahan said, he and Greene were “very calm. We never had words … We were very civil.”

When Greene said she was on her way to pick up her child and needed to make a telephone call, Trahan loaned her his calling card.

Two women and two men who knew Greene then arrived at the accident scene, according to investigators.

Members of the group began cursing at and threatening Trahan, according to Knox County Sheriff Daniel Davey.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Kirk Guerrette, who was the first officer to respond, was bitten on the right forearm, Davey said.

Guerrette called for backup and Maine State Trooper Patrick Hood, sheriff’s Deputy Zachary Woodruff and Wardens Mark Merrifield and Chad Abbott arrived.

After being hit with pepper spray by officers, Vaughn A. Turner, 19, of Augusta was arrested on charges of assault on an officer for allegedly biting Guerrette, obstructing government administration, refusing to submit to arrest and disorderly conduct, Davey said.

During the disturbance, Amanda Marr, 21, of Rockland said she was injured by police, and a Union ambulance took her to Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport. She was treated and then released, according to a nursing supervisor Tuesday.

Davey said the fight involved a tire iron, a car jack and other items.

Davey said he did not know whether alcohol or drugs were involved in the disturbance.

Late Tuesday, Davey said there had been three more arrests, but he did not release details.

The accident caused $1,500 in damage to both Trahan’s car and Greene’s car. There were no injuries from the crash, Davey said.

According to House Clerk Millicent MacFarland, there are no constitutional or legal regulations in Maine ensuring the safety of lawmakers while they are traveling to and from the State House. However, there is a provision in the Maine Constitution exempting legislators from arrest while they are in session or traveling to and from each session.