PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Police have charged a Presque Isle man with manslaughter and operating under the influence for allegedly causing an Oct. 7 crash that killed the passenger of another vehicle.
Jason Ireland, 46 of Presque Isle, is facing five charges in connection with the crash: manslaughter, operating under the influence causing death, operating under the influence causing bodily harm, aggravated driving to endanger and operating a motor vehicle without a license, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Presque Isle Police Department.
On Oct 7, 56-year-old Justin Brown Jr. of Presque Isle died when Ireland’s Subaru struck the rear of a Jeep Liberty that Brown was riding in with his mother, according to the Presque Isle Police Department.
Brown’s mother, Betty Brown, 75, of Easton was slowing down in traffic while heading south on Centerline Road at around 2:20 p.m.
Ireland, who was driving behind Brown, failed to stop fast enough and hit the Jeep, according to police.
“The front of Ireland’s vehicle struck the rear of Brown’s vehicle, which caused both vehicles to roll over onto opposite sides of the roadway,” Presque Isle Sgt. Joseph Seeley reported in the release.
Justin Brown was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He later was pronounced dead at Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle, according to the release. Betty Brown, who had been wearing a seatbelt, was admitted to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
Ireland also was injured but refused medical treatment, police reported.
Blood samples were taken from the drivers, a standard procedure in all fatal accidents, according to police.
Ireland was arrested and released on bail of $10,000. He is scheduled to appear Dec. 19 at Presque Isle District Court.
