October 26, 2021
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York police remind drivers of Maine's move-over law after officer nearly hit by car - WGME

Shocking surveillance video from police shows an officer nearly hit by a suspected drunk driver in York. (York Police Department)
Shocking surveillance video from police shows an officer nearly hit by a suspected drunk driver in York. (York Police Department)

YORK (WGME) -- Shocking surveillance video from police shows an officer nearly hit by a suspected drunk driver in York.

It happened on Spur Road just after 1 a.m. Saturday.

Police say the officer involved was on another traffic stop and a towing company employee was able to let the officer know the vehicle was coming at him.

They say the officer got out of the way just in time.

The officer and wrecker operator were not hurt.

Shocking surveillance video from police shows an officer nearly hit by a suspected drunk driver in York. (York Police Department)

Police were able to catch up with the driver and arrested him for OUI.

They say impairment was a factor in the incident.

Lieutenant John Lizanecz wants to remind the public about Maine's move-over law: get in the other lane if you can, or at least slow down and move over when you see stopped police vehicles or other emergency vehicles.

He says this is a problem law enforcement faces every day all over the country.

"Unfortunately, it happens a lot. Close calls, we do have quite a few of them. We've had some of our mirrors clipped on some of our cruisers. As you know, throughout the country, traffic fatalities by law enforcement officers is up," Lizanecz said. "We're very fortunate the wrecker operator was able to tell John to get out of the way. Realistically, possibly saved his life."

Police say there was a K-9 unit in the cruiser, and they look at the K-9 as another officer, too.

An officer, speaking with a tow truck driver, sees a car headed in his direction (York Police Department).

Police say they've had a couple of cruisers damaged or totaled over the years, but no officers with the York Police Department have been hurt.

Just last month, Deputy Luke Gross with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office was killed by an oncoming vehicle in Downeast Maine while he was cleaning up the scene of a separate accident.

Police want drivers to be more vigilant, not just for their sake, but for the sake of other drivers and people working on the roads.



source: https://wgme.com/news/local/york-police-remind-drivers-of-maines-move-over-law-after-officer-nearly-hit-by-car

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