A car headed north on I-95 in Hampden on Thursday hit a tow truck stopped at a crash scene, then continued driving, engaging Maine State Police troopers in a chase that ended with the car headed into oncoming traffic on the interstate.
The car — a blue 2010 Chevy Cobalt — hit the tow truck just after 12:30 p.m. when the truck was with a state police trooper at a crash scene by mile marker 179 in Hampden.
Instead of stopping, the car continued to drive away and state troopers who were working to clear the crash scene hopped into action, chasing the vehicle, according to state police spokesperson Shannon Moss.
Troopers tried to get the vehicle to stop but the driver ignored them and continued leading them on a chase, Moss said Tuesday afternoon.
Troopers deployed spike mats in an attempt to stop the car by deflating its tires. But the driver continued onto the stretch of I-95 in Bangor despite hitting the mats. A trooper then successfully hit the car, causing it to spin around. The driver then continued, but headed the wrong way down the interstate.
Another trooper used his vehicle to stop the car near the Broadway exit — about 6 miles north of where the pursuit began — and captured the fleeing driver.
The driver, whom police are still working to identify, was taken to the hospital to be evaluated for injuries.
State police have not announced any criminal charges yet as they investigate.