WATERVILLE – A Waterville woman was in jail Friday after her indictment on charges of causing a six-vehicle crash on College Avenue in March that injured six people.

Nancy Hazard, 43, made her initial appearance Friday via video in Augusta District Court on one felony count of aggravated driving to endanger. She didn’t enter a plea.

Hazard was arrested at her home Thursday afternoon. In the courtroom Friday, she stood on crutches next to attorney Lisa Whittier at the jail while Hazard’s family watched. Whittier sought low bail, saying Hazard has no criminal record. In the courtroom, one woman told the judge that the doctor who operated on Hazard after the crash told them he believed Hazard had a seizure before the crash.

The judge set Hazard’s bail at $500 cash or $500 unsecured with supervision by Maine PreTrial agency.

On March 18, Hazard was driving a 2008 Suzuki SX4 south on College Avenue when she hit four cars at a stop light. A fifth car was pushed into the intersection.

In May, the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office submitted a 34-page crash reconstruction report that concluded Hazard was driving 60 to 85 mph at the time of impact, said Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey.

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No one was killed, but six people were treated for injuries, including Hazard.

During the investigation, Hazard told police that she has no memory of the crash or events leading up to it. Investigators ruled out the possibility that Hazard was intoxicated — blood samples taken from Hazard shortly after the crash tested negative for alcohol and illegal drugs, and any prescription medications were at normal levels.

Several witnesses told a reporter that Hazard’s actions appeared deliberate.

Shortly after the crash, Hazard was rushed to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with chest trauma and a back injury. She was released 10 days later, Rumsey said.

Hazard was arrested without incident, Rumsey said. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and fines up to $5,000.

 


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