A Casco man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase allegedly had a backup full of drugs.
Ryan A. Benoit, 35, was charged with eluding an officer, driving to endanger, driving more than 30 mph over the speed limit, operating a motor vehicle without a license, leaving the scene of a crash, aggravated cocaine trafficking, aggravated fentanyl trafficking and aggravated cocaine base trafficking, according to the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy tried to stop a 2006 BMW allegedly driven by Benoit on Water Street in Hallowell about 1 a.m. on Feb. 14. But Benoit allegedly fled onto Central Street at speeds exceeding 105 mph.
Benoit was allegedly still driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph, near Shady Lane, where he went off the road and hit a tree stump.
But he was gone on foot before the deputy reached the crash site, the sheriff’s office said Monday.
Using a police dog, officers tracked Benoit to another car near Jamies Pond a short time later.
At the crash site, police found a backpack — which matched another inside the BMW — containing more than a quarter pound of cocaine base, more than half a pound of fentanyl and more than 2 pounds of cocaine, according to the sheriff’s office.
Benoit’s bail was set at $60,000. His bail conditions include not using or possessing drugs and alcohol, subject to drug testing on suspicion of violation; not using or possessing guns or other dangerous weapons, subject to search at any time without suspicion or probable cause; not to operate a motor vehicle under any circumstances; and not to be out and about between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
