State police on Wednesday arrested a Portland man who allegedly crashed his pickup near a toll booth in South Portland then fled the scene on foot with his dog.
Troopers were called at about noon to a single-vehicle crash at the curve of the Exit 45 northbound toll just south of The Maine Mall, police said in a news release. Based on an initial investigation, police said the driver of a tan 2019 Toyota Tacoma, later identified as Ryan Simpson, 41, crashed the pickup, then fled on foot with his dog.
In the Applebee’s parking lot on Maine Mall Road, a trooper confronted Simpson, but when the dog got between them, police said, Simpson took off running across Maine Mall Road toward the mall.
At the intersection of Turnpike Spur and Maine Mall Route, police said Simpson tried to get into a car that was stopped at a red light, but the passenger door was locked. The trooper used a Taser on Simpson and took him into custody.
Simpson was brought to Maine Medical Center in Portland to be evaluated. When he is released, he will be brought to the Cumberland County Jail, police said.
Simpson had two outstanding warrants, according to police, and will also be charged with operating after suspension, failure to submit to arrest and detention, attempted burglary of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
The dog was not injured and was safely taken into custody by a South Portland animal control officer, police said.
Troopers are looking to speak to the woman who was driving the car Simpson tried to get into, described as a white station wagon/hatchback, possibly a Toyota. That person or other witnesses are asked to call the Augusta Regional Communications Center at 207-624-7076 and ask to speak to Cpl. Doug Cropper.
