A driver in Union nearly struck a firefighter on Friday before fleeing after initially complying with a traffic stop, sparking a multi-town police chase involving the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and multiple local police departments.
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In the afternoon, emergency crews were responding to an unrelated public safety incident on Sennebec Road when the driver of a white 2008 Ford F150 nearly struck an active firefighter at the scene.
A Knox County deputy initiated a traffic stop, and the driver came to a stop, but instead of complying, he allegedly immediately fled on foot.
Following a brief foot pursuit, the suspect returned to his truck, re-entered it, and fled in the vehicle.
He then reportedly fled eastbound towards Rockland.
According to the Knox Sheriff’s Department, the driver generally complied with traffic laws while fleeing, though he reportedly continued to refuse to stop for emergency vehicles attempting to pull him over.
During the pursuit, the suspect placed a 911 call, and communication teams and supervisors attempted to negotiate with him and urged him to stop.
It is not clear from the press release why the suspect called 911, but dispatchers were unable to convince him to stop.
The pursuit eventually came to a stop when the Rockland and Rockport Police Departments established a position near Chikawaukee Lake and deployed “stop stick” tire deflation devices, which successfully caused the truck to come to a stop near the lake’s parking area.
The driver was detained without further incident, and he was transported to a local hospital for a physical and mental evaluation.
The incident remains under investigation, but the suspect has not yet been arrested or charged, and the Sheriff’s Department has declined to name him.
