WATERFORD — Andrew Emerson, 17, of Waterford was charged with aggravated eluding an officer and aggravated driving to endanger on Friday, Feb. 12.

Charles Blaquiere
LUCKY — Norway Officer Steve Cronce is lucky to be alive after a Dec. 26 crash at the intersection of Watson and Norway Center roads in Norway. Cronce was in pursuit of a speeding vehicle that failed to pull over and attempted to elude him. Rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate Cronce from the vehicle, which was a total loss.

The charges stem from a Dec. 26, 2015, police chase and crash in which a Norway police officer was injured and his vehicle totaled.

On Dec. 26, 2015, at around 8:30 p.m. Norway Officer Stephen Cronce was monitoring traffic on Waterford Road, parked next to ABC Rubbish, according to police. Cronce observed a vehicle, later identified as a 2004 Mercedes registered to Emerson’s mother, Cathy Scribner,  approaching at a high rate of speed. Cronce turned to stop the vehicle and activated his emergency lights. When the vehicle did not immediately stop, Officer Cronce activated his siren, police said.

Cronce observed the vehicle turn onto Watson Road and he continued to follow the vehicle down Watson Road at a high rate of speed. The vehicle continued disregarding Cronce’s emergency lights and siren.

When the vehicle reached the intersection of Watson Road and Norway Center Road it turned right, said police. Cronce, still following the vehicle, lost control in the sand in the intersection, sliding off the road and striking a tree. The vehicle continued on and eluded Cronce, police said. At the time of the incident Emerson had three juvenile passengers.

Cronce was trapped in his vehicle. Law enforcement, Norway Fire Department and PACE responded. Cronce was transported to Stephens Memorial Hospital. Maine State Police investigated the crash.

Cronce is still recovering out of work, according to Chief Rob Federico.

asheehan@sunmediagroup.net