ROCKLAND — A Rockland man was charged with multiple offenses after crashing a car into a Knott Street home Saturday, March 18.
The house was heavily damaged and the driver was taken to the hospital.
The crash occurred at about 7:45 p.m. March 18 when a car with Massachusetts license plates was backing out of a driveway but continued across Knott Street and slammed into the house at 41 Knott St.
Police said when they arrived at the scene, they found the driver, 37-year-old Christopher Barnes of Rockland unconscious in the driver’s seat. Police determined that Barnes was suffering from an overdose and administered Narcan to revive him.
The Rockland Emergency Medical Services Department responded and transported Barnes to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.
Barnes was later charged with Operating Under the Influence (class D), Possession of a Controlled Substance (class C) and Driving to Endanger (class E).
The six people inside the home were not injured, police said.
The ranch-style house is owned by Christopher and Rachel Vallance.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office also responded. Camden Exxon towed the vehicle.
Barnes made his initial appearance Monday, March 20 in the Knox County court in Rockland. Justice Jeffrey Hjelm set bail at personal recognizance. Deputy District Attorney Christopher Fernald had asked for $1,000 cash bail, citing public safety. Fernald said Barnes had admitted to snorting cocaine 15 minutes before the incident.
The judge noted that Barnes has had no other criminal offenses since 2014 and that conditions of bail would meet the public safety concerns.
