A Bristol man sought by police on a warrant for sexual assault sustained life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle crash in Bristol on Sunday, April 22.
Joseph A. Benner, 37, was in critical condition at Maine Medical Center in Portland as of 12:15 p.m. Monday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Benner was operating a 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Foster Road, toward Route 32, at about 3 p.m., according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Michael Murphy. As Benner was going around a curve, he went off the road and was thrown from the motorcycle.
The Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service transported Benner to LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus in Damariscotta, according to Murphy. A LifeFlight helicopter flew him to Maine Medical Center.
Information about the nature of Benner’s injuries was not immediately available.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the crash. Speed was a factor, according to Murphy.
Benner faces a charge of class A gross sexual assault in a separate investigation.
On Friday, April 20, the sheriff’s office posted a photo of Benner on its Facebook page and asked for tips regarding his whereabouts.
The post described the victim as an acquaintance of Benner’s. Murphy said the alleged assault took place in Bristol, but declined to say when.
Benner “will be arrested on the original charges,” Murphy said. He didn’t yet know whether Benner would also face charges in connection with the crash.
The crash was in the vicinity of 63 Foster Road. Authorities closed the road for about an hour during the emergency response.
Bristol Fire and Rescue, the Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
