LEWISTON – A Poland teenager was arrested late Monday after police say he intentionally backed his pickup truck into a cruiser during a routine traffic stop.

Jeremy Paradis, 19, was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless conduct and criminal mischief following the 10:30 p.m. incident at Bartlett and Walnut streets.

Police from all areas of the city converged on the area when an officer reported his cruiser was struck by a pickup truck with three people inside.

Investigators said Officer Matt Vierling was just stepping out of his cruiser when the truck backed into the vehicle.

“He was halfway out of the cruiser at the time,” said police Lt. Mike McGonagle. “Fortunately, he wasn’t hurt.”

Vierling ordered the three men in the pickup to step out of the truck as other officers began arriving at the scene. Police said Paradis was the driver. His passengers were 28-year-old Chester Wing and 33-year-old Lawrence Finley. Their addresses were not immediately available.

Vierling was behind the truck on Bartlett Street when he turned on his emergency lights to stop the vehicle for erratic driving, police said.

It was after the pickup had come to a stop that the driver revved the engine in reverse and struck the cruiser, police said.

The police car was jolted but damage to the vehicle appeared minor. The truck was an older model Dodge.

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