LISBON – A man driving a van led police on a chase involving a hit-and-run accident and ended with his vehicle plunging into the Sabattus River shortly after 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to Lisbon Police reserve officer Gabrielle Mathieu, the incident began in Lisbon Falls when she observed Carl Michelson, 65, of 94 Pinewood Road leaving the Getty Station of Route 196 with no headlights. She attempted to stop the van with emergency lights but Michelson continued to drive his 1992 Ford Econoline van, swerving into the left-turn-only lane, Mathieu said.

When he got to the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Route 196, the officer sounded the siren, but Michelson proceeded and where the left-turn lane ended, he continued driving in the center lane without headlights, she said.

He then over-corrected, crossing the right side over the white line without headlights, swerving to the opposite lane as other vehicles approached, the officer said.

He drove to the opposite side of the road near the intersection of Sunset Avenue and Route 196 and continued with on-coming traffic, Mathieu said.

An oncoming 2006 Toyota driven by Jay Labbe II, 60, of Lisbon, pulled to the side of the road near the Big Dipper Ice-cream Store upon seeing the blue lights. Michelson’s van struck the driver’s side of the Toyota, causing an estimated $2,500 in damage, she said. Labbe was not injured.

Michelson continued without stopping, over-corrected again, bringing his van into a gully near the entrance to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. He then gained speed, the officer said, driving up the embankment near Frost Hill Avenue, striking wires from a utility pole that resulted in a power outage.

He then careened across Frost Hill Avenue from a 20-foot embankment, bringing the van onto the entrance to the Lisbon walking path along the Sabattus River. He struck a tree, and then continued down a boat ramp into the river, where the van sank as it continued across a 50-foot section of the river, Mathieu said.

Sgt. Harry Moore, officer Jason St. Pierre, and reserve officer Sherri St. Amant responded. Moore went into the river and coached Michelson, who was still inside his van, on how to get out of the river safely.

Meanwhile, the current began to turn the van on its side, bringing Moore with it. He then retreated back to land, letting Michelson escape through the door. A safety line was attached to Michelson. The van stopped sinking and Moore re-entered the river to retrieve Michelson.

Fire Chief Sean Galipeau, along with Lisbon and Lisbon Falls fire departments and emergency personnel, assisted in bringing Michelson up the embankment on a safety board. He was transported to Central Maine Medical Center for observation, but was not admitted, Moore said, adding that the investigation was still ongoing as of Sunday night.

The E.T. Smith Hose Co. Water Rescue Unit assisted Campbell’s Towing Service in removing the van from the river.