LEWISTON — An Auburn woman who was killed Saturday night when her car crossed into oncoming traffic had a suspended license and was apparently fleeing an earlier accident in Lewiston, according to police reports.

Joanne Polvinen, 58, of 800 Broad St. was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 750 Broad St. shortly after 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Fifteen minutes before that accident, Polvinen crashed into a car on Rosedale Street in Lewiston as she was leaving a cul-de-sac in the wrong lane, police records showed. Her 2001 Chevrolet collided with a 2002 Pontiac driven by Sai M. Lee, 62 of Lewiston.

Motor vehicle records show that Polvinen’s license had been suspended after two prior convictions for operating under the influence. She was stopped again in October, but refused a blood-alcohol test.

Lewiston police Lt. Mark Cornelio said Wednesday his department issued a “be-on-the-lookout” alert for Polvinen after the hit-and-run accident Saturday night. Lee gave police a description of Polvinen’s car and told them her registration: “BAMM.”

“I’m sure she panicked after the hit-and-run accident and was headed home,” Cornelio said.

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In their report, Auburn police said the fatal accident was alcohol-related. Both drivers were tested for blood-alcohol levels. No tests results were available earlier in the week.

Polvinen was killed when her car collided with a 2006 Volkswagen driven by Xiaoying S. Zhang, 28, of Auburn.

Zhang was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries before being released, police said. No citation was issued.

cwilliams@sunjournal.com


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