UPDATE (May 19): The driver of a truck who was involved in a motor vehicle crash with a motorcycle on Sunday evening, May 17, on Route 1 in Thomaston has been arrested on several charges, including aggravated operating under the influence.

Keagan Gardner, 21, of South Thomaston, was charged by Thomaston police with aggravated assault, aggravated operating under the influence (alcohol), and aggravated driving to endanger.

The driver of the motorcycle, Dylan Benner, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport. A LifeFlight helicopter then transported Benner to a trauma center in Portland.

According to the affidavit filed in Knox County Court by Thomaston Police, they responded to the accident scene along with Thomaston Fire and Rescue and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office on May 17 at approximately 8:30 p.m.

A witness reported to police that the motorcycle was no more than a foot away from the front of the truck driven by Gardner.

Gardner was driving his truck behind Benner when police said he slammed into the motorcycle. Police reported that Gardner said that he did not know why he slammed on his brakes and was distraught, saying he ran over his best friend.

Police said that Gardner admitted that he was driving about 70 mph and Benner was “probably going about 100 mph.” Officers also smelled alcohol on Gardner’s breath, according to the affidavit.

Gardner consented to a blood draw by an EMT at the crash scene and his blood alcohol level was O.24 which is above Maine’s legal driving limit of 0.08%.

After he was arrested, Gardner was transported to the Knox County Jail.

According to Thomaston Police Chief Eric Quatrano the crash is still under investigation.

Gardner made his initial appearance May 18 in Knox County Court. Judge Sarah Gilbert set bail at $25,000 cash bail with no third-party bail allowed. The terms of his bail include that he is prohibited from the use of alcohol and drugs, and possessing a firearm. Gardner will also be on house arrest and can only leave his residence for medical and legal appointments, and place of employment or education.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 25 for a dispositional conference.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com

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THOMASTON — Route 1 in Thomaston was closed to traffic between Dexter Street and Old County Road following a Sunday, May 17, motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., Thomaston Fire and Rescue, along with Thomaston Police and Knox County Sheriff's Office, were alerted to the scene.

The motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, where LifeFlight of Maine landed and transported the patient to a Portland hospital.

A crash reconstruction team from Lincoln County assisted with the investigation, which remains ongoing.

The driver of the other vehicle, Keagan Gardner, was transported to the Knox County Jail. According to Thomaston Police Chief Eric Quatrano, additional criminal charges are anticipated pending results of the investigation.