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Police say erratic driver stopped by spike mats in Falmouth

Police say erratic driver stopped by spike mats in Falmouth

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


A North Yarmouth man accused of leading police on a pursuit faces several charges.

Maine State Police say an officer responded to a vehicle being driven erratically on the Maine Turnpike just after midnight on Monday.

Corporal Ricci Cote was able to stop the vehicle near Exit 53 in Falmouth, at which point he says the vehicle drove at him and he fired shots at it.

The vehicle was later stopped again by spike mats at the exit.

The driver, 33-year-old Barry Coolbrith of North Yarmouth, was taken to the hospital in Portland and then to Cumberland County Jail. He faces several charges.

Corporal Cote was placed on administrative leave while the Attorney General’s Office investigates, which is standard for all police-involved shootings.

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