MSP Arrests Wrong Way Driver on I-95 in Aroostook County

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at approximately 12:00 AM, Troopers from Troop F responded to the report of a wrong way driver on I-95 at Mile Marker 266. Trooper Noah Castonguay responded and attempted to stop the vehicle, a 2019 Honda Accord, at Mile Marker 281 with his lights and siren activated in the roadway facing the oncoming vehicle. The vehicle continued towards Trooper Castonguay. Trooper Castonguay swerved to avoid a head on collision and the vehicle continued North in the Southbound lane. Trooper Castonguay used a crossover to travel North and intercept the vehicle at Mile Marker 286. To address the imminent risk, Trooper Castonguay used his cruiser to strike the passenger side of the vehicle as it passed him in the crossover at Mile Marker 286 in Oakfield.

The collision caused the operator of the vehicle to stop. Trooper Castonguay placed the operator, 75-year-old James Burch of Freeport in custody. Burch was transported to the Aroostook County Jail where he was charged with Criminal OUI, Aggravated Driving to Endanger, and Passing a Roadblock. Neither Trooper Castonguay nor Burch were injured in the collision.