LEWISTON — An 86-year-old woman and her husband were rattled out of their beds early Wednesday when a car crashed through the wall of their Old Lisbon Road home.

The driver then fled on foot and remained at large late Wednesday.

The drama began shortly after midnight when police attempted to make a routine traffic stop on Howe Street. As the officers were approaching the suspect vehicle, police said, the driver sped away.

A short time later, the car was spotted again near College and Russell streets, being driven at a high rate of speed and without headlights. Police pursued the vehicle for a short distance but soon broke off the chase in the interest of public safety.

A while later, it was reported that the vehicle had crashed miles away at Old Lisbon Road near the corner of Webster Street.

According to a witness, the car struck a large rock at the side of the road, sending the vehicle airborne and taking out power lines in its path. The Honda CRV then slammed into the side of the home at 4 Old Lisbon Road, ripping through the living room wall before landing at the edge of the yard.

According to a family member, the woman who lives in the home often lounges on the couch late at night in the area where the car made impact. She and her husband were badly shaken after the crash but were otherwise unhurt.

Police responded moments later and found the car empty. They made attempts to track the suspect in the area but it was believed the driver may have been picked up and driven away from the scene. The crash remained under investigation later Wednesday.

The couple who live at the home were unable to remain there following the crash, which took out electrical power and the heating system.

 

 

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