The driver of the sport utility vehicle going the wrong way on the Maine Turnpike April 28 before a fatal collision now faces multiple manslaughter charges and an operating under the influence charge.
York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence said Donna J. Bartlett, 38, of Wells was charged with two counts of Class A manslaughter and one Class B count of aggravated criminal operating under the influence.
Sgt. Joe Brooks of the York County Sheriff’s Department said Bartlett was arrested by a state trooper at 1:24 p.m. today in Alfred.
Bartlett is accused having a blood alcohol level of .08 or more before the crash that killed James McLaughlin, 65, of Gorham and Cooper Campbell, 15, in York.
Police allege that Bartlett was driving an SUV that was traveling the wrong way in a turnpike lane when it struck a Lincoln Town Car driven by McLaughlin. Campbell and his father, Steven Campbell, were passengers in the town car limousine. McLaughlin was driving the father and son home to Maine from Logan Airport in Boston.
Lawrence said the case would be presented to the York County grand jury, which could add more charges.
Brooks said Bartlett was released on bail set at $10,000 cash with conditions Bartlett doesn’t use alcohol or drugs, submit to random testing and no driving a vehicle, according to Lawrence. Bartlett was released jus before 2 p.m. today.
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