JAY – A Jay man faces charges after allegedly eluding police in two towns on Friday, then smashing his truck into a Wilton police cruiser.

Among the charges faced by John A. Lee, 19, are operating a defective motor vehicle, operating an unregistered vehicle, failure to submit to arrest, eluding a police officer, failing to stop at a road block and aggravated criminal mischief.

Jay police Chief Larry White Sr. said a complaint came in just before 5 p.m. Friday that someone on East Dixfield Road was operating a truck with no tire. The caller reported that the vehicle was driving at an imprudent speed for riding on the rim and was operating erratically. The caller said the vehicle had turned onto Morse Hill Road. A second complaint came in shortly after about the same vehicle, then on Intervale Road headed toward Route 4, White said.

Jay officer Michael Pike caught up with the truck on Main Street near Riley Road. Pike activated his siren and blue lights, and the vehicle continued without stopping, White said. The truck turned around at C.N. Brown and headed north on Main Street, also known as Route 4, at speeds under 45 miles per hour, he said. Pike continued to follow the truck, which was headed toward North Jay, and the truck at some times hit 60 mph, White said.

Pike followed him into Wilton area, where the truck struck a Wilton cruiser on the passenger’s side.

Wilton officer Jeffrey Dunham had parked the cruiser across Lake Avenue in roadblock formation. The cruiser was struck on the passenger side doors, Wilton Chief James Parker said. The damage was estimated at $1,000 to the cruiser.

Officers from Livermore Falls and Franklin County Sheriff’s Department assisted Jay and Wilton police.

Lee spent Friday night in jail, then posted $200 cash bail Saturday. He is scheduled to appear in Farmington court Oct. 9.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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