Rollover injures 2, totals dump truck

A dump truck rolled over and went off the road in Hermon Friday afternoon after swerving to avoid a cat.

Hermon Constable Sgt. William Laughlin said Todd Hill, 27, of Carmel was driving a three-axle Freightliner truck on New Boston Road at about 3 p.m. when a cat crossed his path. Laughlin said Hill apparently veered slightly to avoid the cat, but the move caused the load of dirt to shift and threw the truck across the left lane and off the road. Laughlin said the dump truck rolled completely over and stopped upright.

Hill was hospitalized for observation after he complained of abdominal pain. Laughlin said a passenger, Tamara Hazelton, 19, was cut on the head. Laughlin said the truck was totaled.

A nicked tongue and $4,000 damage were the result of a broadside collision in Hermon on Friday afternoon.

Hermon Constable Sgt. William Laughlin said Travis Hawes, 25, was pulling out of his Route 2 driveway at about 2 p.m. when a Chevrolet driven by Scott Hopkins, 29, of Dixmont struck it in the side.

Laughlin said Hopkins was driving with his wife, Sherry, 32, and their child, Andrew, who sustained the only injury in the incident when he bit his tongue. Laughlin said damage to Hawes’ car was estimated at $2,500; damage to Hopkins’ vehicle at $1,500.

“I don’t know if it was the heat of the day or what,” Laughlin said of the afternoon’s accidents. He noted that the rest of the day in Hermon had been quiet.

A Windham motorist fled on foot after being stopped by police in Bangor on Friday morning.

Officer James Dearing said he was on Hammond Street at about 1:15 a.m. when he saw a car pull off Pier Street, make a U-turn while squealing its tires, then speed down Pier Street again. Dearing said the car accelerated as it went, running three stop signs before turning onto Fourth Street, apparently trying to elude Dearing.

Dearing said the car pulled over on Fourth Street. The driver, Stephen Herbert, 34, got out and approached Dearing’s cruiser. He appeared unsteady on his feet. When he walked up to Dearing’s open window, Dearing asked him “What’s the bad driving all about?”

Dearing said Herbert responded, “I’m sorry, I’m just p–d off at my girlfriend.”

Dearing said he could smell liquor on Herbert. When he asked for Herbert’s license and got out of the cruiser, Herbert took off running, Dearing said.

Dearing said Herbert stopped about 100 feet away and submitted to field sobriety testing, after which he was arrested for operating under the influence. He was also charged with operating after suspension.

A 911 misdial led to arrest for a Hampden man Thursday night.

Hampden police Officer Ruth Duquette said Dana Kennedy, who lives in Hampden Trailer Park, accidentally dialed 911 at about 8:45 p.m. because of a malfunction in his phone. Before she arrived to perform a standard welfare check, Duquette said, she learned that Kennedy had an active warrant for failure to pay a fine.

Duquette said Kennedy was cooperative but disappointed when she arrested him.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Isaac Kimball