BALDWIN — A Buxton man is recovering from injuries he received after police say he challenged a police dog following a car crash in Baldwin Monday night.

Howard Liberty Jr., 45, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet pickup at 7:30 p.m. when he lost control turning onto Graffam Road from Douglas Hill Road and rolled over for some 500 feet before coming to a stop, said the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said Liberty ran from the scene of the crash, leaving behind two injured passengers. Rescue workers tried to follow him and eventually a sheriff’s deputy along with police canine Paco joined the search. Deputies found Liberty, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds, but he refused to surrender and instead punched the police dog, the sheriff’s office says.

Paco responded by biting Liberty in the thigh who then surrendered to deputies. He was taken to Maine Medical Center for injuries sustained in the crash and for the dog bite.

Liberty is charged with leaving the scene of a crash, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon – that being the truck he was driving – assault on a police dog and refusing to submit to arrest, the sheriff’s office said.

Passenger Stoy Day, 45, of Sanford was treated for a head injury and Daniel Ford, 43, of West Baldwin was treated for minor injuries.

Deputies say speed and alcohol contributed to the crash and more charges are possible.

Paco suffered no serious injuries.

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