AUGUSTA — The Maine Attorney General’s Office says a police officer was justified in shooting at a car that backed into his cruiser during a chase.
The Portland Press Herald reports that a report released Tuesday says it’s reasonable to conclude that Bridgton Police Officer Todd Smolinsky thought “deadly force was imminently threatened” against him and others.
The report states Smolinsky smelled alcohol when he pulled over a woman for speeding on U.S. Route 302 in September.
The woman sped off and a chase ensued. She lost control of the vehicle in Naples and backed into Smolinsky’s cruiser.
The report states Smolinsky drew his gun and shouted at her to exit the vehicle. He fired at a tire when she accelerated.
She was eventually apprehended after fleeing into a wooded area.
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