Open cans of beer were inside a 19-year-old’s pickup truck on Saturday when he crossed the centerline while driving and caused a crash that injured several people in Clifton, according to police reports.
Kyle Gray, 19, of Harborside, had his first appearance Monday afternoon in Penobscot County Superior Court. He was driving a pickup Saturday night and allegedly crossed the centerline, crashing into an SUV near 618 Airline Road in Clifton around 8:08 p.m.
Gray was charged with aggravated criminal operating under the influence, a Class C felony; driving to endanger, a Class C felony; criminal mischief, a Class D misdemeanor; and operating beyond a license condition or restriction, a Class E misdemeanor.
He did not enter a plea during his first appearance, which is standard in felony cases.
Gray told a deputy with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office after the crash that he was driving the pickup back from his friend’s camp in Otis when he crossed the centerline and then swerved back into his lane, according to the police report filed with the court. Gray said the SUV driver then swerved into his lane and the vehicles collided.
The deputy saw open cans of Coors Lite and Michelob Ultra in Gray’s truck, along with open cases of beer. There was an open, empty box of Michelob Ultra on the ground outside the truck, court records said. The entire area smelled like beer.
Gray told the deputy he drank four beers and finished the last one around 8 p.m., according to court records.
The woman driving the SUV had possible fractures to both of her legs and her pelvis, according to an emergency room nurse who was at the scene. She was taken to the hospital via LifeFlight.
“Having seen the pictures myself, this is a very concerning case where it’s frankly kind of miraculous that no one was killed,” Penobscot County Deputy District Attorney Mark Rucci said at the court appearance.
A teenager in the pickup had serious injuries, including a bruised lung, concussion and a cut needing stitches on his forehead, the police report said. Two other passengers had minor injuries.
Gray was taken to the hospital after the crash and a blood sample was taken for testing. Once he was medically cleared, Gray was then taken to the Penobscot County Jail.
Gray was granted a $500 cash bail. He is not allowed to use alcohol as part of his bail conditions. He is also barred from contacting people involved in the crash.
