West Paris man arrested for DUI after crashing in tavern parking lot

Photo:

Zachary P. Severance

PARIS —  A West Paris man was arrested on drunk driving and other charges on September 27 when a state trooper saw him crash his truck into another vehicle in the parking lot behind the Smilin' Moose Tavern in Market Square.

Zachary P. Severance, 21, of 20 Ellingwood Road, was arrested on charges of operating under the influence, failure to submit to arrest and driving to endanger.

According to a report by Trooper Daniel Hanson of the Maine State Police, Hanson was in the Smilin' Moose parking lot when he heard an engine revving. When he looked over, he watched a white pickup truck crash into another car.

Hanson ran over to the truck, according to the report, as the driver exited. The driver, later identified as Severance, said he was OK, but Hanson said he could smell alcohol on the man and that Severance was having trouble standing straight.

According to Hanson's report, Severance said someone else had been driving, but Hanson didn't see anyone else leaving the truck. Severance tried to get back into the truck. Hanson told him to stop, then grabbed his arm, he said, but Severance pulled away. He pulled Severance to the ground and handcuffed him while the man continued to resist arrest, Hanson wrote.

A witness outside the bar later told Hanson he tried to convince Severance not to drive.

Severance was released from Oxford County Jail on personal recognizance September 28. He is set to appear in South Paris District Court on Dec. 18.