SOUTH BERWICK — A Lovell man faces numerous charges after allegedly driving a dump truck into a South Berwick home Wednesday night while naked then picking a fight with the resident.

Eli T. Hutchins, 24, was arrested by South Berwick police and charged with driving under the influence of drugs, two counts of assault and aggravated criminal mischief. Police say he drove his 1994 Ford one-ton dump truck over a series of lawns and into the front of 21 Woodland Hills.

Additional Photos

A Lovell man is charged with driving under the influence of drugs after he drove his 1994 Ford one-ton dump truck, while naked, over a series of lawns and into the front of 21 Woodland Hills. Photos courtesy of the South Berwick Police Department.

Hutchins had been at a party at another unit in the condominium complex and was involved in a confrontation there before getting behind the wheel just before 11 p.m. That confrontation led to one of the assault charges.

Hutchins’ truck smashed a gaping hole through an exterior wall of the single-story apartment, crashing into the kitchen.

The resident and his 7-year-old son were sleeping in a nearby bedroom.

“The front of the truck came to rest less than 15 feet from the bed,” South Berwiick Police Chief Dana Lajoie said. “It went through the kitchen and damaged the bedroom wall.”

Police say Hutchins immediately attacked the resident, whose name was not released. The resident responded by hitting Hutchins twice in the head with a hammer, police said.

Hutchins was taken to York Hospital for evaluation then released to be taken to York County Jail where he is being held.

The apartment was badly damaged and the truck was a complete loss, Lajoie said.

Lajoie said police are awaiting test results to determine what substance Hutchins had ingested.
 

Related Stories