CLINTON — Maine State Police were led on a nearly 50-mile chase Tuesday on Interstate 95, as a driver in a stolen vehicle attempted to flee the scene at speeds over 100 mph.
According to a post on the Maine State Police Facebook page, Sgt. Matt Casavant was patrolling I-95 when he attempted to pull over a silver 1997 Jeep from New Hampshire because of a traffic violation. The Jeep stopped briefly and Casavant interacted with the driver, who was identified as 54-year-old Christos Kassaras, of Goffstown, New Hampshire. Kassaras then fled from the scene.
Casavant pursued the Jeep, and it was determined the vehicle haad been stolen in New Hampshire.
Kassaras’ speed reached 112 miles per hour, police said. Spike strips were deployed in Newburgh, southwest of Bangor. Kassaras continued driving on I-95 toward Bangor on the wheel rims of the car in a chase that lasted about 47 miles, according to police.
Exiting the interstate at Broadway, Kassaras was stopped by police using a precision immobilization technique, a maneuver in which a pursuing car bumps a fleeing car, forcing it to abruptly turn sideways.
Police said Kassaras resisted arrest but was taken into custody and identified. He was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center, where he was cleared, and then was taken to the Penobscot County Jail.
Kassaras was charged with eluding an officer, criminal speeding, driving to endanger, unauthorized use of property, refusing to submit to arrest, and passing a roadblock.
Colin Ellis — 861-9253
cellis@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @colinoellis
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