PERU – State Trooper Kyle Tilsley didn’t need spike mats to stop a Route 108 speeder late Wednesday night.

Instead, the driver of a 1995 Dodge Intrepid – clocked at 92 mph in a 45 mph zone – slammed into a tree after shutting off his headlights and ducking into Peru Center Road to elude pursuit, Tilsley said.

After the 10:30 p.m. wreck, Robert Hussey, 22, of Rumford, was rushed by Med-Care Ambulance to Rumford Hospital.

The hospital would not release information about the patient.

Tilsley said the incident began near Worthley Pond Road intersection.

“I was headed west on 108 when I met an eastbound car doing 92 in a 45 miles-per-hour zone,” he said. “I turned around, switched my lights on and was trying to catch up to it.”

Tilsley said he watched the Dodge turn onto Peru Center Road into a residential zone where children play and where Peru’s town office is located.

The short road, which used to be old Route 108, goes through the woods a short distance and reconnects to Route 108.

“He turned off his lights and I followed it and caught the tail end of the crash, head on into a tree. When I pulled up to the scene, (the driver) was completely unconscious and unresponsive,” Tilsley said.

Officers responding to Tilsley’s request for assistance – Rumford’s Daniel Garbarini and Dixfield’s Mark Dow – helped the trooper secure the scene and provide first aid to Hussey.

“The car’s driver-side door was ripped off by Dan Garbarini and I to start rendering first aid, to free his airway and get him stabilized. He was slumped over the wheel,” Tilsley said.

Med-Care paramedics quickly arrived on the scene and revived Hussey before transport, he added.

Citing probable cause, Tilsley summoned Hussey for operating under the influence, criminal speed, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The results of drug and alcohol tests are pending, he added.

“Alcohol, drugs and speed were factors in this. It could have been a lot worse. He wasn’t wearing a seat belt, but his airbag deployed,” Tilsley said.

Peru firefighters also responded and M/T Pockets of Dixfield towed the totaled car.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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