AUBURN — Local liquor consultant Scott M. Coulombe has been charged with operating under the influence resulting in an injury after a two-vehicle crash on Hotel Road on Thursday.
The charge is a felony, punishable by up to five years in jail.
According to the accident report, Coulombe, 40, of 64 Clubhouse Lane was driving his 2008 Jeep south on Hotel Road at 9:23 p.m. on June 19. He was making a left turn onto Martindale Road and failed to yield the right of way to David M. Swift, 45, also of Auburn, who was driving his motorcycle north on Hotel Road. Unable to avoid the collision, Swift struck the rear passenger corner of Coulombe’s vehicle.
Swift was thrown from the motorcycle and across a set of railroad tracks. He and his 2014 Harley-Davidson landed on the other side of the road.
Swift suffered serious head injuries and was transported to Central Maine Medical Center. According to a hospital spokeswoman, he is no longer a patient there.
Swift was not wearing a helmet.
According to the police report, Coulombe was given an alcohol breath test after the accident. That test showed a blood alcohol content of .25 percent, which is more than three times the legal limit.
Auburn police Lt. Anthony Harrington said Coulombe was arrested, charged with OUI and transported to the Androscoggin County Jail. According to jail records, he was released on $2,500 cash bail the following morning.
He has no previous OUI convictions.
In 2004, Coulombe was convicted of driving to endanger and has a number of motor vehicle violations, including failure to stop for a red light in 2008 and speeding 79 mph in a 65 mph zone in December 2013.
According to Sun Journal archives, Coulombe is a former plant manager at White Rock Distilleries. His LinkedIn account lists his current employment as a consultant for the wine and spirits industry.
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