A Wales man has been charged with felony drunken driving after a crash Tuesday on Buker Road in Litchfield that left him with neck injuries.
Felix W. Hamel, 57, who appeared in court Friday at the Capital Judicial Center via video from the Kennebec County jail for his initial appearance, was charged with criminal operating under the influence, operating after suspension and operating beyond license condition or restriction.
When he appeared, Hamel was in a wheelchair and wore a neck brace. Because the operating under the influence charge is a felony, no pleas were entered Friday.
As Hamel’s prior record of convictions was read, he said, “What the hell is all this?”
“It’s your record,” said Stephen Bourget, serving as defense attorney for the day.
During the proceeding, Hamel held his hands to his face and sighed heavily several times.
On Hamel’s behalf, Bourget requested unsecured bond.
“He is obviously in pain,” Bourget said, saying the crash caused the injuries. “He has a cast on his leg and staples in his skull. He has a neck brace on. Essentially, he’s going to be on house arrest because of his injuries.”
Assistant District Attorney David Spencer requested $1,000 cash bail, with the conditions that Hamel not consume any alcohol and that he not drive.
“As you can see, Mr. Hamel is not a flight risk. I just want to make sure he gets out of jail so he can get proper medical treatment,” Bourget said.
Superior Court Justice William Stokes set bail at $1,000.
“His record is pretty bad in terms of operation of a motor vehicle,” Stokes said, noting that this is Hamel’s fifth charge of operating under the influence.
Most recently, Hamel was convicted in 2015 and 2013 of operating under the influence in Penobscot County.
Hamel’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 15.
Maine State Police received a call shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday reporting that a man who appeared to be intoxicated was trying to buy alcohol at the South Monmouth Market and had been turned away.
Trooper Ian Dunn said the caller saw that the man left in a blue sedan but didn’t see which way he was headed.
Four minutes later, Dunn said, a second call came in reporting a single-vehicle crash on Buker Road, to which he, two other state police troopers and Gardiner Ambulance responded. Hamel was not wearing a seat belt and he was the only person in the vehicle.
“There was a sharp S-turn to the right, and he went off to the left down an embankment,” Dunn said, adding that the car slid 30 or 40 feet before becoming hung up in some trees.
Hamel initially was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston for evaluation, then to the Kennebec County jail.
On Wednesday morning, Hamel was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center for further evaluation, according to Capt. Rich Wurpel, Kennnebec County jail administrator.
Staff Writer Betty Adams contributed to this report.
Jessica Lowell — 621-5632
Twitter: @JLowellKJ
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