DIXFIELD — Police have arrested a 19-year old local man on felony charges of endanger and leaving the scene of an accident which left a Peru teen with life-threatening injuries.
Nelson Pepin of Dixfield is charged with felony driving to endanger, felony leaving the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident by quickest means, and violation of bail conditions stemming from his involvement in an accident Monday night on Route 108 in Peru.
According to Oxford County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Hart Daley, Pepin was behind the wheel of a truck in which the victim, also 19, was ejected.
The victim, who believe have not identified, is in critical condition but is improving, Lt. Bryan Landis said Friday.
After interviewing two male occupants who were present in the vehicle at the time, Daley said police believe that the erratic operation of the vehicle led to the the victim being ejected from the car
“There are many details of this that we’re still investigating before we are able to release more information,” Landis said.
After the incident, the victim was lifted back into the same truck and transported to Rumford Hospital. The incident was never reported tto police, who interviewed witnesses and followed social media posts to learn the identity of the driver, Daley said.
Pepin was arrested without incident Friday out in the woods at his place of employment afternoon by OCSO Lt. Bryan Landis, deputy Bill Nelson, and Maine Game Warden Josh Smith, according to Daley.
He went to work after the incident, but the pickup truck in question has not been located.
The investigation still ongoing and more charges could be pending, Daley said.
. Out on bail for a prior OUI.
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