MAPLETON, Maine — A Presque Isle man is facing a number of charges after allegedly driving under the influence, crashing his vehicle in Mapleton and attempting to elude police Monday evening, June 24.
Maine State Police officers arrested Andrew Legassie, 27 of Presque Isle later that night. MSP Sgt. Jeffrey Clark said in a press release that Legassie crashed his vehicle on Pease Road in Mapleton and then fled into the woods, where troopers found him after searching for more than two hours.
Around 6:30 p.m. Monday, State Police received a report of a damaged 1996 Honda Accord in a private driveway on Pease Road. According to police, the vehicle had been driving at a high rate of speed north on Pease Road, went off the roadway around a curve and then later appeared in a driveway.
Legassie allegedly fled from the scene into nearby woodlands, which kicked off a search by Maine State Trooper Ted Martin, Game Wardens and sheriff’s deputies.
“There were several sightings during the search but the man would run back into the woods where officers would lose sight of him due the thick underbrush,” according to the press release. “At approximately 9 p.m., Tr. Martin located the man in a swamp and took him into custody.”
Legassie is charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, OUI, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, and violation of conditions of release. He was transported to the Aroostook County Jail.
Legassie is currently on a three-year probation term related to charges for sexual exploitation and abuse of a minor.
