KINGFIELD — A North New Portland man faces several charges after his car swerved into the path of a Franklin County deputy on Main Street on Wednesday night and took off, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said Thursday.

Deputies found him later walking on Route 27.

Sheriff's Cpl. Nate Bean arrested Matthew Poulin, 22, on misdemeanor charges of operating under the influence, operating after suspension and failing to stop for a police officer, Nichols said.

Poulin was also issued a summons on a charge of driving left of the centerline.

Bean was southbond on Main Street on routine patrol about 7 p.m. when he saw a car traveling north swerve into his lane, Nichols said. Bean started to turn the cruiser around to go after the vehicle and noticed it had accelerated and suddenly turned on to Narrow Gauge Road, he said.

Bean found the car abandoned. A witness told a deputy that the driver fled into the woods, Nichols said.

Bean started a track with his police dog, Diesel, and was accompanied by Deputy Nate Reid. They searched with the dog until information started coming in from other sources about the location of the suspected driver, he said.

Reid and Lt. Dave Rackliffe eventually found the driver walking on Route 27 in Kingfield, Nichols said. Poulin was interviewed and arrested.

Maine State Police Trooper Reid Bond assisted county deputies in the incident.

Poulin was released Thursday from Franklin County jail after he posted $250 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear April 10 in 12th District Court in Farmington.

dperry@sunjournal.com