The Damariscotta Police Department arrested a person in connection with a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a 65-year-old female bicyclist at the intersection of Main Street and Biscay Road in Damariscotta on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 4.
In a Thursday, Nov. 5 press release, Damariscotta Police Chief Erik Josephson identified John Barczak, 67, of Rockland, as the driver. Barczak was arrested without incident at approximately 4 p.m. on Nov. 4 and transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.
Barczak was charged with elevated aggravated assault, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, and leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury.
The vehicle, later found at a local business, was identified as a red Toyota Tacoma by Damariscotta Police Officer William Smith using physical evidence, surveillance footage, and vehicle-related information. Smith then identified Barczak as the driver.
According to a Nov. 4 Facebook post from the Damariscotta Police Department, a 911 call was made to the Lincoln County Communications Center at approximately 5:26 a.m. advising that a woman on a bicycle had been struck by a vehicle, which had then fled the scene by the time emergency responders arrived.
The woman was transported by Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service to MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta for treatment. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later transported Maine Medical Center in Portland for further treatment.
The Damariscotta Police Department was assisted by the Damariscotta Fire Department, Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information is provided.