A driver struck four Maine state troopers investigating a family dispute Sunday night in Hollis.
State Troopers Jake Mowry, David Lemieux and Dakota Stewart and recruit Shane St. Pierre were conducting interviews at a residence at the intersection of Route 202 and Star Lane about 10 p.m., according to Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
As they stood near the driveway, a 2017 Subaru WRX driven by 24-year-old Tyler Croston of Westbrook traveling east on Route 202, also known as Hollis Road, about 11:12 p.m. veered into the breakdown lane and struck the four state troopers, York County Sheriff William King said Monday morning.
“It is unknown at this time why the vehicle drove into the breakdown lane,” Moss said.
The state troopers were taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious but not life-threatening injuries. One trooper suffered critical injuries, King said.
(From left) Trooper Jake Mowry, 28, was hired in February 2023; Trooper David Lemieux, 33, was hired in August 2019; Trooper Dakota Stewart, 33, was hired in January 2023; and Trooper recruit Shane St. Pierre, 22, was hired in July 2023. The four state troopers were stuck by a car as they investigated a family dispute in Hollis on Sunday night. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Department of Public Safety
Stewart, 33, was treated and released early Monday with several broken bones in his right foot, while Lemieux, 33, was released later in the day after being treated for injuries to his lower extremities, Maine State Police Col. William Ross said during a Monday afternoon press conference.
Mowry, 28, who was described as the most severely injured, was in serious but stable condition after undergoing surgery on Monday. St. Pierre, 22, was in serious but stable condition at the hospital’s emergency department, where he remained midday Monday awaiting surgery, according to Ross.
“All too often these tragedies happen, and they are preventable,” Ross said, noting Maine’s “move over” law. He said that eight of the Maine State Police’s 12 line-of-duty deaths involved vehicles.
Croston also was taken to Maine Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries. His passenger, 27-year-old Amber Gedaro of Westbrook, was treated and released at the scene, King said.
Croston has been charged with aggravated operating under the influence, aggravated driving to endanger and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. Croston, who had two sets of bail conditions, also has been charged with violating those conditions of release, according to King, who added that Croston won’t be eligible for bail before his initial court appearance.
Croston was scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The crash remains under investigation. The York County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.