DATE: Monday, March 10, 2014
STATE OF MAINE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MAINE STATE POLICE
PRESS RELEASE
PREPARED BY: Sgt. Joshua Haines
CONTACT #: 207-532-5400
TROOPER: Tr. Nicholas Casavant
TROOP: F
INCIDENT DETAILS
DATE/TIME: 03-10-2014 / 1445 HRS
LOCATION: U.S. Rt 1 – Beginning in Monticello ending in Houlton
NATURE: Hit and Run Prop. Damage Crash / Recovery of Stolen MV
OPERATOR 1: James Keaton
AGE: 23
TOWN, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Houlton, ME.
VEHICLE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 2006 / Dodge / 1500 Pick-up
ALCOHOL/DRUG INVOLVED (Y/N/UNK): N
SPEED INVOLVED (Y/N): Y
SEAT BELT/HELMET WORN (Y/N): Y
OPERATOR 2: John Stevens
AGE: 54
TOWN, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Millinocket, ME.
VEHICLE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 2000 / Ford / F-250 Pick-up
ALCOHOL/DRUG INVOLVED (Y/N/UNK): N
SPEED INVOLVED (Y/N): N
SEAT BELT/HELMET WORN (Y/N): Y
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On March 10, 2014 at approximately 2:45 P.M. the Maine State Police received a report of a hit and run crash on Route 1 in Monticello. Investigation revealed James Keaton, 23 YOA of Houlton, was traveling south on Route 1 when he attempted to pass a vehicle driven by John Stevens, 54 YOA of Millinocket. Keaton sideswiped the Stevens vehicle striking Stevens’ mirror, door and front fender causing damage to both vehicles. Keaton failed to stop after the crash and continued onto side streets in Monticello before he was finally confronted by Stevens. Keaton left shortly after contact was made without providing any information to Stevens.
A registration check of the vehicle Keaton was driving was obtained and found to have been reported stolen earlier in the day in Houlton. Keaton was stopped on Route 1 in Houlton by Trooper Nick Casavant. Keaton was found to be under suspension and admitted to taking the vehicle without permission. After further investigation, Keaton was arrested by Trooper Casavant for Leaving the Scene of an Attended Vehicle Accident and transported to Aroostook County Jail. He was also charged with Operating after Suspension. Houlton PD responded to the scene and summonsed Keaton for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
Trooper Casavant was assisted at the scene by U.S. Border Patrol and the Houlton Police Department. Both vehicles were operable and no one involved in the crash was injured.
INCIDENT PHOTO (Y/N): Y
