January 11th, 2025, in Skowhegan, Maine, a Maine Department of Transportation plow truck sustained a head-on collision caused by a drunk driver on Route 2, as reported by law enforcement.
Chief David Bucknam of Skowhegan Police confirmed the crash occurred around 10:15 p.m. Saturday on Canaan Road, a section of Route 2, near the Malbons Mills Road intersection. Witness accounts revealed that a 2011 GMC Terrain SUV, traveling east on the wrong side of Route 2, struck the oncoming plow truck, which was carrying a load of sand.
Investigators identified the SUV driver as 53-year-old Mary Fournier, a Skowhegan resident. She exhibited severe intoxication and required assistance to exit her vehicle. Emergency services transported Fournier to Redington-Fairview General Hospital, where she received treatment for minor injuries. Police noted that the plow truck operator did not report any injuries.
Authorities disclosed that Fournier was driving under a conditional license imposed after a 2019 OUI conviction. Following the incident, she received a summons for OUI and lane violations related to Saturday’s crash.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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OUI penalties in Maine
Maine enforces strict penalties for operating under the influence (OUI). If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .15 or higher, the law imposes a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 48 hours. Refusing to submit to a chemical test results in even harsher consequences, including a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 96 hours.
Keep in mind that Maine applies a 10-year “look-back” period when considering prior offenses, meaning any OUI conviction within the last decade may impact future charges and penalties. For example, along with potential jail time, first-time offenders face the following penalties:
- Standard First OUI Offense: A minimum $500 fine and a 150-day license suspension.
- First OUI Offense with Refusal: A minimum $600 fine, a 150-day court-imposed license suspension, and an additional 275-day administrative suspension.
These minimum penalties may seem manageable compared to harsher consequences, but they still create significant disruptions in daily life. A 150-day license suspension affects commuting to work, running errands, and personal responsibilities. A $500 fine can be a financial strain, especially when paired with other potential costs like legal fees or increased insurance rates. Additionally, 48 hours of mandatory jail time—especially for those who refuse breath or chemical testing—can mean lost wages, potential job consequences, and personal hardship. While these penalties serve as a deterrent, their impact on daily routines underscores the seriousness of impaired driving laws in Maine.
Felony OUI charges carry even harsher consequences. Offenses involving serious injury or death can lead to extended prison sentences and permanent license revocation. Repeat offenders and aggravating factors, such as the presence of a minor in the vehicle, can increase penalties significantly.
OUI breath test refusals
In Maine, refusing a breath test results in an automatic administrative license suspension under the implied consent law. The refusal may also be used as evidence in court, and prosecutors may argue it suggests consciousness of guilt. Unless an officer fails to properly inform you of the legal and court consequences, your refusal is likely admissible. To contest the suspension, a hearing must be requested within 10 days. Additionally, a refusal can eliminate eligibility for a work license, further increasing the impact .
For a first refusal, a license suspension lasts 275 days. A second refusal within 10 years results in a two-year suspension. Third and fourth refusals carry suspensions of four and six years, respectively, within the same 10-year period.
If you’re under 21, the penalties that can be incurred for a refusal are stricter, with an 18-month suspension for a first refusal and 30 months for a second refusal.
How long does an OUI stay on your record in Maine?
In Maine, an OUI conviction stays on your record for life. The state does not allow the expungement of OUI offenses, making them permanent entries on your criminal record. This permanence applies regardless of whether it’s a first offense or a subsequent one.
For sentencing, Maine considers prior OUI convictions within the past 10 years. A prior conviction within this period can result in enhanced penalties for a new OUI charge.
Outside of the 10-year lookback period, prior convictions are still visible and could impact a person in other areas of life, such as the cost of insurance rates or when undergoing an employment background check. This unchanged record underscores the importance of understanding the long-term consequences of an OUI conviction in Maine.
If you have been arrested for drunk driving anywhere in Maine, contact The Maine Criminal Defense Group directly online or call us at 207-571-8146 to speak with an experienced OUI lawyer near me who can help you. We have offices conveniently located in Portland & Kennebunk helping all residence of southern Maine.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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