Police ID Rochester man charged with OUI after crash

Scene of last Sunday's rollover on River Road. (Lebanon Rescue photo)

LEBANON – The Rochester man charged with driving while under the influence after rolling his truck over on River Road last Sunday night has been identified as David Pennell.

Pennell, 36, no street address given, and his passenger, a 20-year-old Rochester man, suffered only minor injuries as a result of the crash, which sheared off a utility pole, cutting power overnight to many area homes.

Maine State Police Trooper Kyle Wells estimated the speed of the truck to be about 60 mph as it was headed toward East Rochester when it lost control in the area of Knox Lane, slammed into the pole, and landed upside down in the opposite lane, its front end facing north.

Wells said earlier this week that the accident was one of the worst he’s ever seen as far as the destruction and debris field. He said the driver and his passenger were incredibly lucky to have survived the crash.

He said people in the neighborhood reported hearing the vehicle “scream by” their houses followed by what sounded like an explosion.

Wells said on Tuesday that Pennell had been charged but not officially arrested, because they were awaiting blood test results on his BAC (blood alcohol content). At the time he had said they were expected later this week.

The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. and drew outrage from neighborhood residents distraught that pedestrians could have easily been killed as a result of such a reckless act.

Pennell was identified in this week’s Police Report released on Friday by Maine State Police Troop A headquarters in Alfred, Maine.