CARY PLANTATION, Maine — An underage drinking party turned into a high speed chase for the Maine State Police early Sunday morning.
According to the Lt. Brian Harris of Troop F, the barracks received an anonymous complaint around 1:39 a.m. about an underage drinking party in Cary Plantation. Sgt. Alden Bustard and Trooper Carman Lilley responded to a residence on the Haney Road.
Police did not specify the address, but indicated that Troopers located the gathering in a field behind the home.
Police made contact with several juveniles in the field and while looking for others who had fled into the woods, a 17-year-old male started his 2011 Jeep Wrangler and sped off, according to Harris.
The Jeep reportedly sideswiped another vehicle that was parked in front of it, causing damage to both vehicles, but kept going, police reported. Officers pursued and a high-speed chase ensued onto U.S. Route 1 southbound toward Orient.
Police said the Jeep reached speeds as high as 90 mph over the roughly 17-mile long chase before going off the road near the Orient Port of Entry.
Officers apprehended the teen driver, who was not named because he is a juvenile, after a short foot chase. He was arrested and transported to the Aroostook County Jail. The driver faces felony level charges due to his actions. He was not injured in the crash and the vehicle had minor damage from going off the road, according to police.
The juvenile male allegedly responsible for the party faces charges as well for providing a place for minors to consume alcohol, according to Harris. The investigation into both incidents is continuing.
