Terri Lynn Caito was on her way
to an arraignment at the time
of the crash.
PARIS – A Norway woman faces multiple drug charges after allegedly causing a two-vehicle crash Monday on Main Street while under the influence of crack cocaine, police said.
One of the woman’s passengers was taken to the hospital and treated for rib injuries.
Terri Lynn Caito, 41, was driving north on Main Street in a 2002 Ford Ranger, headed to her arraignment in 11th District Court in South Paris on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, when the 8:25 a.m. crash occurred, said Paris patrolman Harry Simms.
The owner of the truck, Erica Russell, 35, of Norway, who was in the front passenger seat, told police Caito “had some kind of seizure” while smoking a pipe with cocaine in it, Simms said.
Simms said she veered into the oncoming lane and struck a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo being driven by Scott Pawlowaki, 24, of West Paris. “He saw her coming at him and stopped” just before Caito hit him on the front corner of the driver’s side, Simms said.
After the impact, he said, Caito “floored” the accelerator, pushing the Isuzu off the highway up a knoll near the Western Avenue intersection. Rocks flew from under the trucks tires across Main Street, putting dints in several new cars of the Ripley & Fletcher car dealership, Simms said.
Caito, Russell and Pawlowaki denied any injuries, but a second passenger in the truck, Lansa Beaudet, 47, of Norway, was transported by PACE Ambulance Service to Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, complaining of rib injuries, Simms said.
The hospital declined to release any information on Beaudet’s condition Monday afternoon.
Simms said police found a baggie containing cocaine, scales and “quite a bit of money” in the truck.
After questioning witnesses, police charged Caito with trafficking in cocaine, manufacturing a scheduled drug, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs.
Russell was also charged with possession of cocaine, said Simms.
Caito and Russell were taken to the Oxford County Jail, where Caito is being held on bail of $50,000 surety or $5,000 cash. Russell was released later Monday on $1,000 unsecured bail.
Both face a Sept. 9 arraignment on the charges in 11th District Court in South Paris.
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