FARMINGTON — An Oakland man faces charges after police say he led them on a chase through streets near downtown early Sunday morning. The chase ended with a utility-pole crash at the intersection of Middle and Quebec streets.

Jacob N. Hutchinson, 23, was not injured in the crash but was taken to Franklin County Detention Center where his alcohol level tested at 0.15, police said. The legal limit is 0.08. He was given a summons on charges of driving under the influence and eluding an officer.

Hutchinson was spotted leaving the Main Street pub, The Roost, about 12:58 p.m. by Sgt. Ed Hastings who was parked on Main Street. He had a defective plate light on his vehicle according to Hastings’ report.

Hastings saw him  make rapid turns on to Academy Street and then a right on to High Street.  Hutchinson was trying to make the turns without slowing down or stopping causing the officer to turn on his police lights on Academy Street, Hastings said.

From High Street, the driver then made an unsignaled left on to Perkins Street and then another unsignaled left on to Maquire Streets as he drove around the block between the dorms at the University of Maine at Farmington.

He went through the intersection of Maguire and Middle streets without stopping or signaling, Rachel Heseltine, Farmington Police secretary, read from the report.

From Middle Street, Hutchinson attempted to make a right hand turn on to Quebec Street when he crashed head-on into the utility pole in front of St. Joseph’s Church Community building. Police said the wet road conditions may have contributed to the crash.

NorthStar ambulance personnel checked him at the scene but he was not injured.

In addition to the charges, Hutchinson received a traffic summons for the defective light.

He was released Sunday on $500 unsecured bail.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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