By Bonnie Washuk,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – State police say they found marijuana in the ashtray of Scott Hewitt’s tractor-trailer after the July 29 accident in Hallowell that killed a Scarborough woman. They are investigating whether Hewitt was under the influence at the time of the accident.

Hewitt has remained jailed in Cumberland County on safety and drug violations unrelated to the Maine Turnpike crash. He was sentenced to 60 days after pleading guilty Wednesday to breaking truck safety laws and failing to pay a fine for possessing marijuana, both in August 2004, said Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney William Barry.

State police Lt. Chris Grotton, who oversees the Traffic Division, said Wednesday that when police were investigating the crash in which Hewitt’s truck crushed Tina Turcotte’s car, they found “a small, usable amount of marijuana” in Hewitt’s ashtray.

Investigators also found what appeared to be a marijuana pipe in the debris, Grotton said. Police believe the red pipe came from Hewitt’s truck, since the pipe was found under the cab, Grotton said.

Tests were ordered to determine if Hewitt was impaired by marijuana use, Grotton said. It was unknown Wednesday whether the test results were complete and what they showed, Grotton said. He added that the information is part of the ongoing investigation.

The final crash report is being wrapped up, and will soon be given to Kennebec County District Attorney Evert Fowle, Grotton said.

Fowle said Wednesday he could not comment on the marijuana discovery. When he receives the report, Fowle said he’ll determine what to charge Hewitt with. “Operating after suspension will be one we will go with. There’s no issue about that.” Whether other charges will be filed will depend on the information he receives from police, Fowle said.

“The state police are working very hard investigating every aspect of this case,” Fowle said, calling the probe “deliberate and exhaustive.” After reviewing the report, Fowle said he expects to decide within two weeks whether more investigation is needed, or what charges will be filed.

Turcotte died several days after the crash. Shortly before the crash, Turcotte’s car and a truck in front of her had slowed down for a lane merger because of road work, according to a preliminary crash report from the state police. Hewitt’s truck didn’t slow down, according to that report, and struck Turcotte’s vehicle.

Guilty pleas

On Wednesday morning, Hewitt was in court in Portland on charges stemming from a routine commercial vehicle inspection in that city in August 2004. He pleaded guilty to two counts of falsifying a logbook, one count of not keeping a logbook current and two counts of removing out-of-service stickers that state police had put on his truck. The stickers indicated the truck could not be driven until repairs were made, Barry said.

During that inspection, police also found marijuana in a pouch on the door of Hewitt’s truck, Barry said. “It was less than an ounce and a quarter,” which meant Hewitt had a small amount and violated a civil law. He admitted to possessing the marijuana and was supposed to pay a $200 fine by May 9, 2005. He did not pay the fine, Barry said.

Hewitt’s truck, which was hauling sheet metal at the time, was also cited for being overweight and for having unsafe brakes, according to Barry.

In court Wednesday, the judge said he would recommend to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles that Hewitt’s license be suspended for two years, which is not a common recommendation, Barry said.

Hewitt’s court-appointed lawyer, Joel Vincent of Portland, said he argued against the 60-day jail sentence imposed on Hewitt, saying it was too tough.

“One of the things I was hoping to dispel was that he was habitually driving around after suspension,” Vincent said. To counter that belief, Vincent said that during a 6½-year period, Hewitt’s license was suspended twice for a total of 40 days. During those suspensions, Hewitt did not drive, Vincent said.