ORONO — A Corinth woman is facing multiple charges after leading state police on a pursuit that concluded with a police cruiser being totaled at a roadblock.
McKenzie Kaphammer, 22, is accused of operating under the influence, aggravated criminal mischief, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and passing a roadblock, according to state police Lt. Wesley Hussey.
Troopers were alerted to Kaphammer at approximately 11:40 p.m. Thursday after she had struck a utility pole on Mill Street in Orono and subsequently fled the scene, according to Hussey.
About 15 minutes later, dispatchers fielded the first of three 911 calls advising that a vehicle matching the description of Kaphammer’s was traveling north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95, according to Hussey.
The lieutenant said the vehicle entered the highway at Exit 191, and Trooper Christopher Hashey, who was heading southbound in the area of Exit 193, met the vehicle in that area.
As Hashey attempted to stop Kaphammer, she fled, and the trooper executed a parallel pursuit, shadowing Kaphammer in the northbound lanes as the suspect continued north on the southbound side, Hussey explained.
Hashey was able to get ahead of Kaphammer and set up a roadblock utilizing his patrol car and spike strips in the southbound lanes at mile marker 197, Hussey said.
As Kaphammer reached the roadblock, she never attempted to slow down or avoid Hashey’s patrol unit and broadsided the vehicle, Hussey said. Hashey was outside his vehicle when the collision occurred.
The impact ignited a small fire underneath Hashey’s car’s hood, which the trooper quickly extinguished with a fire extinguisher, Hussey said. Kaphammer was quickly placed under arrest and brought to Penobscot County Jail, where she remains Friday.
The results of Kaphammer’s blood alcohol test were not available, Hussey said. Kaphammer’s vehicle and the police cruiser were demolished in the collision.
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