Driver charged with leaving scene

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Photo:

Robert L. Sanborn 

Photo: Chuck Blaquiere

INTO THE WATER — Robert L. Sanborn, of Raymond, the driver of this Chevy pickup, fled the scene after he crashed the truck into a brook on Round the Pond Road Sunday.

NORWAY —   A Chevy pickup truck crashed into a brook Sunday after it apparently hit a tree, spun around and slid off the road, according to a Norway Police report from Sergeant James Ventresca. 

The report states that a caller advised the police that the dome light in the truck was on, but it had appeared no one was inside the vehicle. 

The accident happened around 2:30 a.m. on Round the Pond Road. The vehicle was heavily damaged. 

Because it was dark outside, it was also unclear whether the driver was in the water, the report states. 

Robert L. Sanborn, 33, of Raymond, was charged with leaving the scene of the accident, violation of conditional release and failure to report an accident by quickest means. 

"I found no one in the vehicle, under the vehicle or in the vicinity of the crash," Ventresca said. He stated in his report that upon arriving on scene, he saw fresh foot tracks in the snow, so he requested a K-9 unit to search the area. 

According to Ventresca's report, Norway Fire, PACE Ambulance and Oxford Sergeant Rickie Jack also assisted with the search. 

Fire Chief Dennis Yates said a thermal imaging unit was also used to try tracking the suspect. 

State Trooper Adam Fillebrown and his K-9 unit spent approximately an hour searching for Sanborn, but were unable to locate him.

On December 17 around 8 p.m., Sanborn contacted Ventresca at the Norway Police Department and admitted to driving the truck during the time of the accident, according to Ventresca. 

"He stated that he [Sanborn] lost control, hit a tree and went down into the embankment," Ventresca wrote. 

According to the report, Sanborn stated he was "out of it" following the crash, and fell into the brook when trying to escape the vehicle. "He said he was cold so he started walking down the road," Ventresca reported.

"He said he stopped at several houses along the road to use a phone until he was finally able to call his wife," so she could pick him up and drive him home, Ventresca wrote. 

On August 29, 2012, Sanborn was charged with domestic violence assault on his wife, assault on state police Trooper Jason Wing and for failing to submit to arrest or detention. 

Ventresa reported he asked Sanborn why he never notified police after the December 16 incident. According to Ventresa, Sanborn again responded he was "out of it." 

Sanborn told Ventresca he may have suffered a concussion. 

Sanborn is out on bail with conditions not to use or possess alcohol, subject to search and test. 

According to Ventresca, the truck was removed from the brook by Willie's Repair in Norway and impounded, pending the investigation. 

Sanborn is scheduled to appear in court February 14, 2013.