Maine

An Orland woman was killed after the vehicle she was a passenger in went off the road last night. The driver is facing multiple charges.

On Jan. 28, 2020, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Tr. Travis Chapman responded to the Cedar Swamp Rd. in Orland for a motor vehicle crash.  Investigation revealed that Robert Cunningham (48) of Orland was driving west in a 2007 Ford Ranger.  Valerie Seavey (50) of Orland was a passenger.  The driver lost control on a left hand corner, went off the left side of the roadway striking an embankment.  The vehicle came to rest on its wheels in the middle of the roadway.  At some point, Seavey was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Seavey wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.  

Cunningham was placed under arrest and taken to the Hancock County Jail in Ellsworth.  On Jan. 29, he was charged with Manslaughter, Agg. OUI, Agg. Driving to Endanger and Speeding 30 MPH or more over the speed limit.  Sgt. Tim Varney and Cpl. Dan Ryan assisted.  Tr. Josh Lander is reconstructing the crash.  Speed and alcohol appear to be factors.  Bucksport and Orland Fire Departments also assisted.

Maine’s 62 newest police officers graduate from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Wednesday.  Some of the new officers will begin patrolling this weekend, beefing up Thanksgiving weekend patrols.  The new officers have completed eighteen weeks of study and training at the academy, located in Vassalboro. The new officers studied many topics, including crime scene processing, emergency vehicle operation, first aid, traffic and criminal law, domestic violence and sexual assault. Among the graduates are six State Police Trooper recruits, five new Portland Police officers , three new Bangor Police officers and three new deputies from the Cumberland Sheriff’s Office.   The graduation begins at 10 AM and the guest speaker will be Farmington Police Chief Jack Peck, who is President of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association.