Topsham police Sgt. Mark Gilliam issued a summons Friday to Jean A. Wolkens, 43, of 515 Meadow Road, Topsham, alleging she was operating under the influence prior to a traffic accident Dec. 16.
Police documents show Wolkens was issued a test that revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.22 — nearly three times the legal limit.
Wolkens was one of three candidates seeking an open seat on the Board of Selectmen in a special election Tuesday; she finished third in the three-way race won by James Trusiani.
Topsham police Lt. Fred Dunn said that on Dec. 16 at 6:46 p.m., police responded to a report of a 2007 Ford Fusion on its side in a ditch off Meadow Road. Police who responded said Wolkens may have banged her head; she was taken to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick as a precaution but sustained no serious injuries.
She said Tuesday she had considered dropping out of the race.
“But in talking to a couple of people that I’m close to, I was reminded that, fortunately and unfortunately, however you want to look at it, I’m not alone in this,” she said.
“It doesn’t change the fact that I want to serve my town,” Wolkens said, “and I’m very sorry that there was a crash… I decided to stay in the race because I still want to serve the town, and unfortunately this happens to people of all walks of life, and I would never make excuses but I just hope people can look past it and realize what I have to offer the town.”
Wolkens confirmed she was uninjured in the crash, which involved no other occupants or vehicles.
Police — who said charges were delayed until Friday while they awaited results of the blood-alcohol test — issued Wolkens a March 12 court date.
Trusiani received 166 votes in Tuesday’s election; William Thompson took 124 votes and Wolkens got 79, Town Clerk Ruth Lyons said.
Trusiani served nine years on the board before losing a tight three-way way race for two seats in 2011.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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