An SUV involved in a three-vehicle collision Saturday afternoon rests on its roof on state Route 4 in Auburn. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal
AUBURN — A Lewiston man who police said was involved in a crash in which another driver was killed Saturday on state Route 4 had his driver’s license suspended indefinitely this month, according to court records.
Police said Stephen M. Witham, 50, was traveling southbound on Route 4 shortly after 5 p.m., near Lake Shore Drive, in his 2013 Dodge Ram pickup truck when he crossed the centerline and veered into northbound traffic. A 2021 Nissan Rogue driven by Elise Harvey, 35, of Hartford, who was transporting three teenage passengers, was struck and overturned. Harvey and her passengers were treated for minor injuries and released.
A 2015 Nissan Murano driven by Zachery Cowett, 32, of Hartford was also struck. Cowett was alone in his vehicle and died as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash, police said.
Police are investigating and have not released further details or whether anyone will be charged with a crime.
Police said Witham did not have a valid driver’s license and his right to operate a motor vehicle in Maine was under suspension. Records show Witham’s license had been suspended indefinitely March 6 due to failure to file proof of insurance.
Witham’s license was first suspended in 2002 for 90 days after he was pulled over in South Portland for operating under the influence. He was stopped for the same offense in 2006 and was given an April 2008 date for eligibility to restore his license, but he was charged again with operating under the influence in 2007 which came with a seven-year suspension.
In 2008, Witham was charged with operating a vehicle after a habitual offender revocation with two priors, but the charges were dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office when he pled to another charge.
Witham was issued a conditional license in March 2010, but was convicted in 2017 and again in 2018 for operating a vehicle after a habitual offender revocation. He was sentenced in 2019 to six months in jail and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
In January 2022, Witham obtained a learner’s permit and received license credits for remaining violation free. However, his license was suspended indefinitely March 6 for failure to file proof of insurance.
Witham also has drug convictions on his record from 2015 and 2017.
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