The Edgecomb woman who crossed the centerline of Route 1 and caused a head-on, two vehicle accident in Wiscasset on Dec. 31 had been cited two hours earlier for the alleged unlawful use of an inhalant.
Ann Marie Stewart, 39, of Edgecomb, was issued a summons in Sagadahoc County for the civil infraction, according to Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brett Strout.
According to Strout, a Sagadahoc deputy responded to a report from a concerned citizen about a woman, later identified as Stewart, slumped over the wheel of her car at the Taste of Maine in Woolwich. The deputy reported that there was evidence of inhalant use, Strout said, and issued a summons at approximately 1:21 p.m. Dec. 31.
Emergency responders checked Stewart, however, she was medically cleared, Strout said. According to Strout, inhalant use wears off quickly and Stewart no longer exhibited signs of being under the influence.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, inhalants cover a variety of readily available products, such as spray paint, glue, and cleaning fluids, that have psychoactive effects when inhaled.
According to the Wiscasset police log, Stewart allegedly used Dust-Off, an aerosol can marketed to clean dust, in reference to the Sagadahoc summons. In Maine, inhalant use is a civil infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $500.
Stewart could not be reached for comment.
At approximately 3:23 p.m., Stewart’s 2003 Volvo was traveling north on Route 1. It crossed the centerline, entered into the southbound lane, and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze operated by Duane A. Brunnell, 61, of Boothbay, head on.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Wiscasset Fire Department, Wiscasset Police Department, and ambulance services from Wiscasset and Bath responded to the scene in the area of Wiscasset Ford.
Brunell and his wife, Patricia Brunell, a passenger in his car, were transported to an area hospital by Bath Emergency Medical Services.
Stewart was transported by ambulance to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick. Wiscasset police contacted the Brunswick Police Department to conduct a blood test on Stewart at the hospital, according to the police log.
No charges have been filed. According to Wiscasset police, the accident is still under investigation.
Neither the Brunells’ injuries nor Stewart’s were life-threatening.
