Road rage leads to father’s arrest
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A Mars Hill man is facing multiple charges after a dispute with his son turned into a case of road rage on Sunday.
The Presque Isle Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen around 5:30 p.m. June 12 reporting that there was a road rage incident culminating on Strawberry Banks Road in which a handgun was brandished. Officers Chris Hayes and Robert Thibeault responded.
By the time the officers arrived, the vehicles involved had departed. While officers were searching Presque Isle, the department received several calls indicating an accident had taken place on Mechanic Street involving one of the vehicles from the earlier altercation.
“The road rage, in which high speeds and dangerous driving occurred, according to witnesses, was a domestic spat between Richard Young II, 55, of Mars Hill, and his adult son, which resulted in the father chasing his son in another vehicle as the younger man was trying to avoid his father,” said Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge, PIPD.
Selfridge said Young II eventually struck a telephone pole.
“Young II had to be removed from the car by the Presque Isle Fire Department using hydraulic equipment to pry the vehicle open to get to him. He was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center by Crown Ambulance and released the following day,” said Selfridge.
According to the police report, Young II sustained minor injuries in the accident and was held overnight for observation. The son was not injured in the altercation with his father.
Officer Peter Johnson assisted in the accident reconstruction phase of the investigation.
Young II has been charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger and criminal speed. A weapon was also seized by police.
“The investigation is continuing and charges are pending in reference to the gun,” Selfridge said.
Young II was released on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Caribou on Sept. 22.
