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Negligence complaint against city connected to 2021 crash dismissed.A complaint of negligence against the city of Ellsworth related to a 2021 crash in which the car was pursued by a police officer was dismissed this month after a justice concluded that the officer did not cause the crash.Count three of a suit that was filed in 2024 by plaintiff Meskah Beal, who was injured in the crash, alleged that the city was negligent because the officer continued to pursue the vehicle knowing the safety risks of the road.The complaint alleged that three other defendants were also negligent in separate counts, including the driver, who was allegedly consuming alcohol that night, and the owner of the vehicle.The incident occurred on July 16, 2021, near North Bend Road in Surry, according to the summary judgement order.Beal was in the backseat of the car, which was traveling over the posted speed limit.Officer John Stanley began to pursue the vehicle on Bucksport Road.After following the car and clocking its speed of 72 mph in a 35 mph zone, Stanley activated his blue lights and siren.Stanley reportedly lost sight of the vehicle as it made a sharp left turn, later finding it lying on its side.According to the complaint, Beal was pinned by the damaged vehicle and extricated by first responders cutting through the roof.He reportedly suffered fractures to his spine and had to undergo multiple surgeries, physical therapy and occupational therapy to regain the ability to walk.Beal alleged that Stanley “continued his pursuit of the vehicle knowing the risk that the vehicle would not make the corner due to its excessive and high rate of speed.” While all governmental entities are immune from claims seeking recovery of damages, according to Maine law, there are a few exceptions, including the ownership, maintenance or use of vehicles.Superior Court Justice Patrick Larson granted the city’s motion for summary judgement on May 18, finding that there is no evidence to suggest that Stanley’s pursuit of the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop was unreasonable.The order only dismisses Count 3 of the suit.The order stated that the vehicle was speeding before Stanley activated his blue lights, there was no evidence that speed contributed to the crash, and Stanley was not close to the other vehicle when it crashed.“A fact finder could not conclude Officer Stanley caused the vehicle to crash without speculating,” the order states.The judgement went on to say that if Stanley’s actions could be found negligent, then government entities would risk negligence liability each time a law enforcement officer attempted to stop a driver suspected of speeding or driving under the influence.As of January, Stanley now works in Winthrop as a patrol officer.