Lakes Region Briefs

Woman arrested
after destructive
police chase

STANDISH — A Limington woman was arrested Dec. 7 night following a police chase during which she drove her pickup truck, which was missing a tire, through backed-up a traffic in Standish, hitting a half-dozen vehicles and continuing on for about 3 miles, authorities said.

Misty Romero, 41, was charged with eluding an officer and operating under the influence following the 6:40 p.m. incident, which started on Route 35 in Standish, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said. A motorist had called the county dispatch center to report that the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 truck was operating erratically.

The truck stopped near Route 35 and Route 237, where traffic had backed up due to a motorcycle fire on the side of Route 35. A Gorham police officer had brief contact with Romero before she sped off, nearly striking the officer, the sheriff’s office said. The truck drove through the backed-up traffic, striking six other vehicles, including two Standish fire vehicles, and losing its driver’s side tire.

The truck continued to operate with three tires, sending out a large trail of sparks. It traveled at 40 to 85 mph for more than 3 miles before becoming disabled. Romero and a 40-year-old passenger were taken into custody.

The passenger was not charged. Romero was ordered held for eight hours before she could pay the $1,500 bail.

Romero was also arrested on several other charges, police said.

Driver injured while
allegedly trying to flee

STANDISH — A Gorham man was seriously injured early Dec. 8 following a short police chase in Standish.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said Joseph Turner, 26, was operating a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the wrong lane on Chadbourne Road at 12:58 a.m. Saturday when a sheriff’s deputy spotted him and tried to stop him.

Police said Turner sped up instead, but crashed into a utility pole less than a half-mile down the road. The vehicle rolled over several times. Turner was ejected from the vehicle and pinned beneath it. He was freed by Gorham emergency medical technicians and taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Turner was operating without a license and had several convictions for operating under the influence. Police said they are continuing to investigate the crash. Turner faces several charges, including operating under the influence and operating with a revoked license.

GPCOG seeks public input
on transportation challenges

PORTLAND — The Greater Portland Council of Governments is conducting an online survey to involve more people in transportation planning, particularly older adults, people with disabilities, people of color and others who experience transportation barriers.

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MobilitySolutionsSurvey. Any adult in the 25 cities and towns in GPCOG region can take the survey.

GPCOG is working to develop solutions to address gaps in transportation, using funding from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the U.S. Administration for Community Living. The project will culminate in new practices for increasing and ensuring the inclusiveness of transportation planning and decision-making in the region.

Input is sought from people who have personal experience with transportation challenges. GPCOG will plan a project to address one of four needs: rides for medical appointments for those without MaineCare; rides to grocery stores for people with transportation needs; better access to free or lower-cost bus fare; rides to jobs in locations that lack transit access.