PORTLAND, Maine (WGAN) Portland police say a driver who tried to flee from officers ended up ramming several cars before her own vehicle caught on fire.
Police on Thursday said they were trying to stop a vehicle being driven by 39-year-old Kristalyn Talmer of Biddeford in the parking lot of Lowe’s Plaza on Brighton Avenue around 2:45 p.m. They said she was in a line of cars that were stopped at the traffic light to exit onto Brighton when officers tried to pull her over. The occupants were wanted in connection with a drug trafficking investigation.
Police say Talmer accelerated into the rear of the car in front of her while trying to get away, then struck three other vehicles, including a police vehicle, before her car became disabled and caught on fire. Officers broke the windows and took her and her passenger, 42-year-old John Southard of Biddeford, into custody.
Talmer was taken to Maine Medical Center with minor injuries. She will be arrested for four counts of aggravated reckless conduct when she’s released.
Southard was arrested and charged with violating conditions of release. He was taken to Cumberland County Jail.
No one else was injured in the incident.