Lewiston man charged with OUI after brief chase that ended in a parking lot crash

LEWISTON — Police arrested a local man Wednesday night after a chase that ended when the man crashed his car into another vehicle.

Ronald R. Pittman Androscoggin County Jail photo

Ronald R. Pittman, 18, of 969 Sabattus St. was charged with operating under the influence, refusing to submit to arrest and eluding an officer.

Police said a brief pursuit began when an officer attempted a traffic stop at 9:46 p.m. on East Avenue, according to police. The driver refused to pull over and continued driving, with the officer in pursuit.

The driver made a right-hand turn, careened over a sidewalk and into the parking lot of Maine Family Credit Union on Sabattus Street, where he crashed his car into another vehicle, according to police.

Two passengers in Pittman’s car were detained at the scene but later released. They were not charged.

Pittman was held at Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn in lieu of $300 cash bail.

A suspect is led to a police cruiser late Wednesday after a car chase that ended in an accident on Sabattus Street in Lewiston. Sun Journal photo by Mark LaFlamme