AUBURN – The driver of the motorcycle from which a Lewiston woman fell and was critically injured last weekend had once lost his license for drunken driving.
John Ferland, 32, of 69 Marshall Ave., Auburn, was convicted in 1997 of operating under the influence, according to his state driving record. His blood-alcohol content was measured at .12 percent, according to Bureau of Motor Vehicle records. His license was suspended for two months.
Police are investigating whether alcohol played a role in the early Saturday accident that severely injured Irene Douglas, 36, of 141 Rosedale St. to the hospital.
She remained in critical condition late Wednesday night at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. An accident report said she was found bleeding and had suffered head injuries. She wasn’t wearing a helmet, police said.
She was riding on the back of Ferland’s 2004 Harley-Davidson after getting a ride from the Midnight Blues Club at Main and Court streets in Auburn when she fell from the bike.
In a police accident report, Ferland told police that Douglas “appeared to fall asleep and became very sloppy on the back of the motorcycle.” She fell off when he took a sharp left turn, the report said.
Ferland left the scene of the accident, police said.
Scott Soulard, 36, of Old Orchard Beach laid down his motorcycle as he followed Ferland, according to the police report. Each was charged with a class C felony, accused of leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury.
Ferland also lost his license in 1993, a year after it was first issued to him, for a criminal speeding violation.
In 1999, he went before the Department of Motor Vehicles for a review of his accidents, including one in Greene the year before in which there had been an injury.
He was ordered to take a defensive driving course.
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