WOOLWICH — Deputies summonsed a Bath man on two charges, including driving to endanger, after he lost control of and rolled his vehicle during a passing maneuver in Woolwich.

The crash was reported to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff ’s Department Saturday at 3:50 p.m. Sunday and occurred in the area of 427 Middle Road, according to Chief Deputy Brett Strout.

Eric Dunton Jr., 26, of 37 Central Ave., Bath, was driving a 2003 Jeep south on Middle Road near Nequasset Road when he tried to pass a slower moving, older silver Toyota traveling in the same direction, according to Strout.

As Dunton tried to pass the slower vehicle, it picked up speed and wouldn’t let him pass, “and the two of them continued this behavior at excessive speed and they ended up doing this in the no passing zone,” Strout said, although the pass started in a passing zone.

The two then crested a hill where they encountered Jennifer Johnston, 51, of 11 River Road, Woolwich, who was driving north on Middle Road. Strout said Johnston was able to pull her vehicle out of the way at the last second and avoid a head-on collision, “but barely, and she had to go off the road to do it.”

Dunton tried to swerve back into his lane, lost control of his vehicle, struck a ditch and rolled over, Strout said. He was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released. Strout said Deputy Matt Sharpe, who investigated the crash, “clearly believes the fact that he was wearing a seat belt saved his life.”

The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene.

Dunton was charged with driving to endanger and operating on the left while passing so as to interfere with approaching vehicle.

Individuals with information about the identity of the driver of the silver Toyota sedan can call the sheriff ’s office at 443-8201 and ask for Deputy Matt Sharpe.

Woolwich Fire and EMS responded to the crash.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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