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Portland man arrested after fleeing accident near Maine Mall

A Portland man faces multiple charges after he fled the scene of an accident and attempted to elude authorities by getting into another person's car that was stopped at a red light near the Maine Mall, according to police. Maine State Police officials said the crash occurred around noon Wednesday at the curve of the Exit 45 northbound toll road on Interstate 95 in South Portland. Investigators said the driver of a tan 2019 Toyota Tacoma, later identified as 41-year-old Ryan Simpson, crashed the pickup truck and then fled the scene on foot with his dog. Simpson ran through nearby woods and into the parking lot of Applebee's on Maine Mall Road, where he was tackled by a police officer. Simpson's dog got between him and the officer, according to police, and the suspect ran across Maine Mall Road toward the mall. Police said when Simpson reached the intersection of Turnpike Spur and Maine Mall Road, which is next to Jared's Jewelry store, he attempted to enter a car stopped at a red light through the passenger door. But the passenger door was locked, and Simpson was unable to get into the vehicle. The officer was then able to deploy his Taser and safely incapacitate Simpson before arresting him without further incident, police said. Simpson was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland for evaluation. Police said once he is released from medical treatment, Simpson will be transported to the Cumberland County Jail.Authorities said Simpson has two outstanding warrants for his arrest and is also facing charges of driving while license suspended, refusing to submit to arrest and pretrial detention, attempted auto theft and hit and run after an accident involving property damage.Police said Simpson's dog was not injured and was safely taken into custody by a South Portland Animal Control officer.Deputies said they wanted to speak to the woman who was driving the car Simpson attempted to get into before his arrest. Authorities said the car is a white station wagon/hatchback, possibly a Toyota.The woman or anyone who knows her is asked by police to call the Augusta Regional Communications Center at 207-624-7076 and request to speak to Cpl. Doug Cropper.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine —

A Portland man is facing multiple charges after he fled the scene of a crash and attempted to elude authorities by getting into another person's car that was stopped at a red light near the Maine Mall, according to police.

Maine State Police officials said the accident occurred around noon Wednesday at the curve of the toll exit 45 on northbound Interstate 95 in South Portland.

Investigators said the driver of a tan 2019 Toyota Tacoma, later identified as 41-year-old Ryan Simpson, crashed the pickup truck and then fled the scene on foot with his dog.

Simpson ran through nearby woods and into the parking lot of Applebee's on Maine Mall Road, where he was tackled by a police officer. According to police, Simpson's dog got between him and the officer, and the suspect ran across Maine Mall Road toward the mall.

Police said when Simpson reached the intersection of Turnpike Spur and Maine Mall Road, which is next to the Jared Jewelry store, he tried to get into a car that was stopped at a red light through the passenger door. But the passenger door was locked, and Simpson could not get into the vehicle.

According to police, the officer was then able to deploy his taser and safely incapacitate Simpson before taking him into custody without further incident.

Simpson was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland for evaluation. Police said Simpson will be taken to the Cumberland County Jail after he is released from medical care.

Authorities said Simpson had two outstanding arrest warrants and was also charged with driving while suspended, refusing to submit to arrest and detention, attempted car theft and hit-and-run.

Police said Simpson's dog was not injured and was safely taken into custody by a South Portland Animal Control officer.

Officers said they wanted to speak with the woman who was driving the vehicle Simpson attempted to get into before his arrest. Authorities said the vehicle was a white station wagon/hatchback, possibly a Toyota.

Police are asking the woman or anyone who knows her to call the Augusta Regional Communications Center at 207-624-7076 and ask to speak to Cpl. Doug Cropper.

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