Harpswell woman arrested after police pursuit and crash

A 48-year-old Harpswell woman, Karen Pennell, faces multiple charges following a police pursuit and subsequent vehicle crash on Harpswell Island. According to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Pennell was initially stopped on Harpswell Island Road on Monday due to an active warrant. After being ordered out of her vehicle, she allegedly fled, nearly striking a deputy with her car.

Law enforcement officers from the Sheriff's Office and Brunswick police located the vehicle approximately one hour later on Merritt House Road. After attempting to box in the vehicle, officers reported that Pennell managed to maneuver around them and flee a second time. Shortly after the second pursuit, Pennell failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Merritt House Road and Harpswell Island Road, resulting in a collision with a Chevrolet pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 56-year-old man, sustained minor injuries. Pennell was uninjured in the crash. She has been charged with driving to endanger, failure to stop for law enforcement, and violating conditions of release. Following a medical evaluation at Maine Medical Center in Portland, she was transported to the Cumberland County Jail.