Waterville Man Uses Median To Pass On Turnpike, Causes Crash Cops Say

Authorities say a crash on the Maine Turnpike in the area of Gray Monday afternoon, led to a foot chase across traffic.

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Shannon Moss, Public Information Officer with the Maine Department of Public Safety, says the incident happened just before 1:30 PM, near mile marker 65 south of the New Gloucester tolls.

"The initial investigation has determined that the driver of a 2019 white Ford 150 was traveling southbound when the driver, 39-year-old Robert Padilla of Waterville used the median to pass the vehicle in front of him. As he was passing the vehicle, a 2025 black GMC 1500, Padilla cut back into the passing lane clipping the GMC. Padilla’s Ford 150 went off the road and into a ditch before it came to rest."

Moss said that Padilla then got out of his truck and took off on foot, cutting through traffic going in both directions, before fleeing into the woods. He was found a short while later by a K-9 Unit from the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department.

Padilla was taken to the hospital to be checked out. Moss said the other driver that Padilla clipped with his truck, suffered minor injuries.

Authorities are expected to file charges against Padilla soon.

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