
A Freeport woman was arrested Friday for operating under the influence of drugs after crashing into a ravine along Route 196.
Topsham police officer Troy Garrison said Ashley Farmer, 29, of 32 Independence Drive in Freeport, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of drugs. Garrison said it is a criminal charge because Farmer had an 8-year-old girl in the black Nissan. The car belongs to Farmer’s boyfriend.
According to Garrison, Farmer was traveling westbound on Route 196. A man had called police to complain about Farmer’s driving and while on the phone with dispatch, Garrison said, the man witnessed Farmer drift, hit the guardrail, go airborne for approximately 50 feet and then travel down into a ravine.
Garrison said a drug recognition expert was called to the scene. The DRE performs a series of tests — some which go to the state lab — to confirm suspicions of whether or not someone is under the influence of drugs.
Garrison called Hunter Truck Service of Lisbon Falls, which provided a large truck that could pick up and swing the car around and lay it down in the roadway. Anytime Wrecker Service of Topsham then towed the car away.
Garrison said Topsham Fire and Rescue were on scene and Farmer was checked over by EMS personnel but wasn’t transported. A family member came and got the child. Farmer was released on personal recognizance.
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