The Wiscasset police have arrested two local men in connection with a fatal car accident that occurred in May.
On July 9, Lt. John Allen arrested Donald R. James, 45, and his son, Scott James, 18, both of Wiscasset. The men are charged with furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol.
The men are accused of hosting a party at which alcohol was knowingly served to minors. Two of the men who attended the party were later involved in a fatal accident on Gibbs Rd.
Although both accident victims were adults, because the accident was connected to the party, the father and son were charged with a Class C felony.
According to Allen, soon after the accident, they learned about the party from a minor who attended the event.
“It came to our attention by someone who was with them that evening, they were at this residence,” he said. “After interviewing several of these minors, several of them did admit they were drinking… Scott James went to school with many of the minors who attended the party.”
The arrest of the father and son mirrors several recent incidents involving adults allowing minors to consume alcohol, said Allen.
“These aren’t 21-22 year olds having a party for their friends. These are 40-year olds allowing their kids to have a party and having their friends over. There is something seriously wrong here,” said Allen.
Police said the accident occurred on Gibbs Rd. around 1:30 a.m. on May 13. A northbound 1998 GMC pick up truck operated by Dennis J. Jones, 21, of Gibbs Rd. went over the shoulder of the road, came across into the southbound lane, became airborne and ultimately came to rest on its roof.
A passenger, 19-year-old Jesse A. Shaw was apparently ejected from the vehicle while it was airborne. The report said Shaw suffered broken bones and bleeding. He was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he died May 20.
Jones has been charged with aggravated operating under the influence.
