UPDATE (March 22): A Rockland man who backed into a home on Knott Street Saturday evening, March 18, made his initial appearance in Knox County Court March 22.

Christopher Barnes, 37, is charged with criminal operating under the influence (with a prior offense), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, and driving to endanger.

Justice Jeffrey Hjelm set bail for Barnes as personal recognizance. This type of bail allows Barnes to be released without posting bail and he must sign a written promise to appear in court when required. 

Barnes was ordered by the court to be on supervised release and cannot use or possess any alcohol or illegal drugs and will be subject to random searches.

According to the affidavit filed by Rockland Police in court, Barnes told police that his car was parked with the rear of the vehicle facing the roadway. He said that the last thing he remembered was getting in the car and seeing the backup camera turn on. He admitted that he had snorted heroin 15 minutes before the incident but did not know the amount of the drug.

After police administered Narcan to revive Barnes, he was transported to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport and then to the Knox County Jail.  

His next court appearance is scheduled for May 11 for a dispositional conference.

ROCKLAND — Rockland Police are investigating the circumstances that led to a vehicle damaging a house Saturday evening, March 18, in a neighborhood near Maverick Street.

Family members inside the newly remodeled house at 41 Knott Street were uninjured when a car backed into the living room picture window at approximately 7:35 p.m. 

Upon arrival, police found the driver, Christopher Barnes, 37 of Rockland, unconscious in the driver’s seat.
 
“Police determined that Mr. Barnes was suffering from an overdose and [officers] administered Narcan to revive Mr. Barnes,” said Rockland Police, in a news release on their Facebook page.

Rockland Maine Fire & EMS Department responded and transported Barnes to Pen Bay Medical Center.

Barnes was later charged with Operating Under the Influence (class D), Possession of a Controlled Substance (class C), and Driving to Endanger (class E).

There were six residents inside of the home at the time of the crash.

“Thankfully none were injured,” said Rockland PD.
 
Rockland PD would like to thank the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Rockland Fire/EMS, and Camden Exxon for their assistance with the incident. 

Rockland Fire and police remained on scene for an hour, assessing the walls for structural integrity, and then waiting for Camden Exxon, which hauled the car away.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com