Man in traffic accident arrested an hour later

Posted Sept. 08, 2009, at 11:48 p.m.

BANGOR, Maine — A Gouldsboro man was arrested Tuesday after police found prescription drugs in his possession less than an hour after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Hammond Street.

George Tedesco, 42, initially was charged with possession of an OxyContin pill and for violating the conditions of his bail from a previous arrest for operating under the influence of an intoxicant, according to Bangor police Officer Tim Shaw.

After his arrest, Tedesco was taken to Penobscot County Jail, where he was being held pending a court appearance today, Shaw said.

Shaw said the incident remained under investigation and additional charges might be forthcoming.

According to Shaw, the episode that led to Tedesco’s arrest began shortly after 5 p.m. with a motor vehicle accident near the 3rd District Court building on Hammond Street. After he provided the other driver with his name and telephone number, Tedesco allegedly became nervous and left the scene.

Shortly afterward, the other driver called police because of an accident-related injury, Shaw said. The officer said that when he called Tedesco to determine his location, Tedesco said his vehicle was broken down on Interstate 395.

About that time, state police Trooper Darren Vittum, who was aware that Bangor police were attempting to locate Tedesco, saw the Gouldsboro man’s 2000 Mercury Mountaineer pulled over on I-395. Vittum stopped and held Tedesco until Shaw arrived.

Shaw said Tedesco appeared nervous while being questioned.

A search of Tedesco turned up a Valium pill for which he had no prescription. A search of the back seat of the SUV turned up an OxyContin pill and five more Valiums. Shaw said Tedesco said the pills in the SUV belonged to a friend to whom he had given a ride.