ROCKPORT —  A juvenile was released to the custody of his parents after being charged with Eluding an Officer, Failing to Stop for an Officer, Driving to Endanger, Criminal Speed, Possession of Marijuana by a Minor, and Improper Passing.

On Sunday, Dec. 29, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. John Palmer was traveling east on Rockland Street, in Rockport, in a line of traffic. The eastbound traffic had just crossed over the town line from Hope when a silver 1998 Audi A8 passed the line of vehicles at a high rate of speed.

According to a KCSO new release, Sergeant Palmer immediately activated his emergency equipment, lights and siren, in an attempt to stop the vehicle; the Audi increased its speed and began to pull away. Palmer called in, via radio, to Knox Regional Communications Center to make them, and surrounding law enforcement agencies, aware that he was pursuing the fleeing Audi and the direction of travel.

Sergeant Palmer lost sight of the Audi for a moment as it entered into the curves in the area of Mirror Lake. He regained visual contact of the Audi, which had just crashed, as he was coming out of the curves at the end of Mirror Lake, just before Mirror Lake Lane.

Sergeant Palmer advised KRCC of the crash and got out to check on the driver and any occupants; he found only a driver. The juvenile, 17, of Union, allegedly had lost control while attempting to negotiate the curves, spun around several times and struck a guardrail.

The juvenile was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries.

Speed and driver inexperience are considered the primary reason for the crash. 

KCSO was assisted by Knox Regional Communications Center, Rockport Police Department. Rockport Fire Department, Rockland Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, Maine Department of Transportation and Camden Exxon.

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