Androscoggin County Superior Court Decides in Favor of Drummond Woodsum Client in Major Negligence Case Following Bench Trial

Drummond Woodsum successfully defended the Town of Jay against a negligence claim arising out of a high-speed chase. On February 18, 2026, the Androscoggin County Superior Court issued its decision finding in favor of the Town after a bench trial was held in December 2025. The officer involved was previously dismissed based on discretionary function immunity.

Plaintiff claimed that the Town and its Police Department were responsible for the serious crash that occurred after a Jay police officer pursued two robbery suspects on the evening of March 28, 2023. The driver of the suspect vehicle reached speeds of 102 mph before losing control, driving off the road, and hitting a tree. Although this was a Maine Tort Claims Act case, Plaintiff incurred over $1.2 million in medical bills.

At trial, Drummond Woodsum attorneys Kasia S. Park and Eloise C. Melcher argued that the Jay officer was justified in pursuing Plaintiff and that he followed police department policy. The Court agreed, describing Plaintiff’s conduct as “outrageous” finding that she both created and aggravated the dangerous situation on the road.