An Ellsworth man who was fleeing from police was hit by a tractor-trailer while running across the Maine Turnpike on Sunday night.
Jacob Felling, 39, was allegedly caught stealing from vehicles near the turnpike in Biddeford when he ran onto the highway to get away from police about 8:30 p.m., according to Maine State Police Lt. Aaron Turcotte.
While crossing the turnpike, near mile marker 32, Felling was hit by a northbound tractor-trailer driven by Michael Kilmer, 68, of West Virginia, Turcotte said Monday morning.
Kilmer initially thought he hit a deer, but after he reviewed his in-truck camera, the trucker discovered he had hit Felling and called police.
Police found Felling in a marshy area just before an exit ramp. He had serious injuries to his legs and head, and was in the early stages of hypothermia, according to Turcotte.
He was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland. His injuries aren’t considered life-threatening.
Before he turned up in Biddeford, Felling allegedly removed his court-ordered ankle monitor in Ellsworth on Sunday, and he had a warrant for his arrest out of Waldo County for violating his conditions of release.