ROCKLAND, Maine — A 41-year-old Rockport man was indicted on a manslaughter charge this week in connection with the death of a man who was struck by a vehicle while walking in January along Camden Street in Rockland.
The Knox County grand jury indicted Jeremy Stone on charges of manslaughter, aggravated criminal operating under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident involving death and possessing improper plates.
Police said Stone was driving drunk about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30, when his Jeep Cherokee struck 35-year-old Daniel Cormier as he walked along Camden Street near Pizza Hut with two friends. Cormier was declared dead upon arrival at the local hospital. The friends were not injured. Stone left without stopping, according to police.
Officers were led to Stone by his ex-wife, who went to the crash and told police that her husband had called her to say he had messed up and believed he had hit someone, according to an affidavit filed with the court by police. When officers went to a residence in Rockland to speak to Stone, he allegedly admitted he had struck something but was not sure what it was because it was raining and visibility was poor.
Stone said he did not stop because he panicked, since he had illegally attached false registration plates on his vehicle, according to the court document.
Stone told police that he had consumed three drinks of rum and ginger ale before leaving his residence and that he regularly takes Suboxone and Klonopin, which he is prescribed, according to the affidavit. He also allegedly told police, however, that on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the most drunk, he believes he was at about a three.
There was front-end damage to the Jeep, according to the court document.
A blood alcohol test taken of Stone later that evening found his level at 0.09, according to the affidavit. A person is considered under the influence when the blood alcohol level is at or higher than 0.08. Stone allegedly told the officer that he had nothing to drink after the crash.
Stone was arrested that night and remains at the Knox County Jail in Rockland unable to raise bail.
Other indictments issued by the grand jury that completed its work Thursday were:
Pamula Grady, 39, Whitefield, theft by deception, aggravated forgery, unsworn falsification, from February 2013 through April 2014. The indictment alleges Grady stole food assistance benefits from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Candice Owens, 35, Searsmont, four counts both of criminal restraint by a parent and endangering the welfare of a child in February 2015.
Kelly J. Hill, 38, Camden, theft of more than than $10,000 from the Lodge at Camden Hills from April 2012 to February 2015.
Timothy D. Sanford, 50, Cushing, unlawful sexual contact.
Justin W. Lawrence, 39, North Haven, domestic violence terrorizing, domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
Ronald A. Harding, 40, Owls Head, aggravated criminal mischief, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, refusing to submit to arrest, carrying a concealed weapon.
Shawn Michael Jones, 28, Appleton, burglary, theft.