Drivers plan to sue police in OUI case

PORTLAND – A Portland attorney said Wednesday he plans to sue the Portland Police Department on behalf of two people whose cars were damaged by a high-ranking police officer who now faces drunken driving charges.

Dan Lilley said his clients have developed medical complications from the accident, and that he plans to file a notice of claim against the city early next week related to the injuries. He said the seriousness of the injuries also calls for more serious charges to be filed against Lt. Ted Ross.

“These people were hurt serious enough to charge him with a felony,” Lilley said. “If you were in his position, you would be charged with aggravated [operating under the influence] with six months in prison and six months loss of license. That will end his career. That’s unfortunate, but he should be treated like anyone else. This ain’t a fender bender.”

Ross faces charges for allegedly having a blood-alcohol content of 0.25 percent on Dec. 17 when he drove his unmarked police car into a pickup truck that had stopped in the travel lane of a city street in Portland to wait for a parking spot to open up. Ross’ car drove the pickup into a Land Rover that was pulling out of a space.

Ross had attended a Christmas gathering earlier that evening put on by Police Chief Michael Chitwood before going out with other officers to a bar.

Ross cut his head badly on the rearview mirror and received 20 stitches at Maine Medical Center, where a blood-alcohol test was administered.