FREEPORT, Maine — Three people were sent to the hospital and one was arrested by police on charges of operating under the influence after a crash in Freeport on Thursday afternoon, according to police.
Susan Muniak, 45, of Freeport was heading northbound on Route 136 in her Mercury Sable when she failed to negotiate a curve and struck a Toyota driven by Wayne Ross, 56, of Cumberland, with Margaret Smith, 53, also of Cumberland, in the passenger seat, according to Freeport police Sgt. John Perrino.
“She drove straight instead of making the turn,” said Perrino.
Ross’ vehicle was damaged so severely that rescue personnel had to cut the roof off to free him, Perrino said.
Ross was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland by LifeFlight for chest and arm injuries, while Smith was taken by ambulance to the same facility for head injuries, the sergeant said.
Muniak suffered minor injuries and was taken to Parkview Hospital in Brunswick and released. Upon her release, she was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, aggravated reckless conduct and elevated aggravated assault, according to Perrino.
It is unknown whether Muniak had drugs or alcohol in her system, pending toxicology tests, Perrino said. She remained at the Cumberland County Jail on Friday.
Both vehicles were totaled in the crash and Route 136 was shut down from the Route 125 intersection to Curtis Road for nearly five hours, Perrino said.
All three drivers were lucky, the sergeant said.
“If you saw the pictures of the vehicles, you’d say, ‘How did somebody survive that?’” Perrino said.
Brunswick police were called to perform a reconstruction. Smith and Ross remained at Maine Medical Center on Friday, and Perrino said Ross was able to talk to police Friday morning.
Arrests
12/5 at 1:09 p.m. Susan A. Muniak, 44, of Poland
Road, was arrested by Officer Brandon Paxton on Royalsborough Road on
charges of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, sale and use of drug
paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and operating a vehicle without a
valid inspection certificate.
http://www.theforecaster.net/node/108343
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1/14 at 2:38 p.m. Susan A. Muniak, 44, of Poland Road,
was issued a summons by Officer Brandon Paxton on Poland Road on a
charge of violating condition of release.
http://www.theforecaster.net/content/n-freeport-police-beat-69
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March 15
Susan Ann Muniak, 44, of Freeport, was issued a summons at 4:34 p.m. on Philbrook Avenue for theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
http://sentry.mainelymediallc.com/news/2012-03-23/Police_Notes/
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6/19 at 5 p.m. Susan A. Muniak, 45, of Freeport, was arrested on Auburn Street by Officer Charles Frazier on a charge of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
http://www.theforecaster.net/news/print/2012/06/25/portland-police-beat-june-25-2012/127791
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Note —> If Maine had a vehicle impound law, it’s likely Muniak wouldn’t have been driving during yesterday’s accident. It’s unfortunate, for the people she hit and injured.
If Maine had minimum mandatories for everything this probably wouldn’t have happened. I say take the “discretion” out of the judges hands. Many are obviously too weak willed to actually send someone to prison. How this for an idea, I dont think its too harsh either: If convicted of 3 Class E crimes within say a 5 year period Minimum mandatory 90 days incarcerated. Class D Minimum should be 6 months locked up. For all felony level offenses 1/3 of the maximum penalty should be the minimum mandatory non suspendable incarceration period. I think thats more than fair. yes our jails will fill up but I will gladly pay more taxes if it means keeping these dirtbags locked up so they cannot victimize people again. Sooner or later it will be you or someone you love that becomes a victim. I mean for God sakes they still cut peoples hands off in Saudi Arabia for stealing. So when someone gets sentenced in to 90 days in jail for a third theft offense in 5 years, I dont really consider that cruel and unusual. Sorry for the rant
No apology needed. I support mandated impound for offenders’ vehicles, in addition to the kind of prison time you outlined, above.
If the family vehicle is likely to be taken away, Uncle Joe might be more reluctant to lend the truck to his OUI-prone relative.
For the first offense, 6 months’ impound, with the offender to pay all storage and related fees.
Second offense and subsequent? Say a permanent “bye bye” to the vehicle, no matter who owns the vehicle.
I totally agree.
Why don’t you call your buddy Lepuke to do something about it? Crime rate has doubled in Maine since he took office.
2 cars,3 drivers,go figure.
is this person even in jail now…………………. no
and why not?
I wonder why the BDN didn’t dig into her past criminal record like they have so many other repeat offenders?
I womder if she is on state supplied methadone???