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Driver charged with hitting family at Loonfest is back in jail just days after release

Police say Hartley was driving erratically, eventually striking a Lincoln PD cruiser during a pursuit

LINCOLN, Maine (WABI) - The driver accused of operating under the influence of methamphetamine and hitting a family of four walking on a sidewalk during a festival has been arrested again, police say.

Lincoln Police say Carl Hartley, 57, of Mattawamkeag was arrested Sunday night just days after he was released on $10,000 bail. Officials say he fled officers following reports of erratic driving and struck a police cruiser.

911 callers reported an erratic driver in a white pick-up truck on Lee Road around 7 p.m., officials say. They told dispatchers the vehicle was weaving across the roadway, entering the ditch, crossing the center line and nearly striking oncoming traffic.

Hartley failed to stop for officers when being pulled over, officials say. They added his truck was repeatedly veering into the other lane during the pursuit. Hartley and the pursuing officer had turned into a business’ parking lot behind Main Street when officials say Hartley drove straight at the cruiser, striking the driver’s side, according to officials. They say the officer was temporarily trapped, but was not injured.

The officer got out through the passenger side and subsequently took Hartley into custody.

Police say a breathalyzer test showed Hartley was not under the influence of alcohol, but drug recognition experts found probable cause to charge Hartley with Criminal OUI. Hartley consented to a blood test, according to officials, but they are still waiting for the toxicology report.

Hartley is now facing a slew of new charges, including Criminal OUI, Aggravated Criminal Mischief, Refusing to Stop for a Law Enforcement Officer, Driving to Endanger, Violation of Conditions of Release.

In court last week, the state said Hartley has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1987, including criminal assault, criminal mischief, burglary, terrorizing and three prior OUIs.

We spoke with Jasmine Drew, the mother of the family hit at Loonfest, who shared this message to anyone considering getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

“You can do whatever you want in your free time, but if you’re that intoxicated or messed up on substances, you should not get behind the wheel and risk other people’s lives,” Drew said. “We had two little girls in the mix of this. Luckily they’re OK, but it could’ve been way worse.”