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Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333


Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

March 16, 2009

Livermore Man Sentenced for Snowmobile Hit-And-Run

York County – Patrick Rosa, 19, of Livermore was sentenced to 120 days in jail last Thursday (March 12, 2009) in York County Superior Court for his involvement in a December 2007 snowmobile hit-and-run incident in Limerick. On the night of Dec. 28, 2007, Rosa and three companions were racing their snowmobiles along an airstrip near Route 11 in Limerick. The property was closed to snowmobiling.

At approximately 9 p.m., while racing at a very high rate of speed, Mr. Rosa struck Mr. Darrin Smith, 44, of Limerick with his snowmobile, according to Maine Warden Service Captain Dan Scott. Mr. Smith lives adjacent to the airstrip and had been walking his dog along it that evening. The impact vaulted Mr. Smith through the air, shattering his leg and arm. Mr. Smith’s dog also sustained serious injuries. After striking Mr. Smith, Mr. Rosa and his friends left the area. Mr. Smith was forced to drag himself approximately a hundred feet to a nearby snow bank where his 8-year-old daughter later located him. Mr. Smith’s daughter called 9-1-1 and directed first responders to her father, according to Captain Scott.

More than a dozen Maine Game Wardens as well as state and local law enforcement responded to the incident and an extensive investigation ensued. Late in the evening of Dec. 29, 2007, Mr. Rosa contacted the Maine Warden Service and admitted to the crash, according to Captain Scott. Evidence indicated that the incident was alcohol related.

Maine Warden Service investigators executed several search warrants reference the incident and the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab performed forensic analysis of the snowmobiles and other evidence collected at the scene. Mr. Rosa was indicted for Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon.

On Thursday, March 12, 2009, Mr. Rosa plead guilty to one count of Reckless Conduct (Class D) and one count of Criminal Trespass (Class E). Mr. Rosa was sentenced to two concurrent 364 day sentences with all but 120 days suspended. Mr. Rosa was ordered to perform 250 hours of community service with at least 25 hours being in a Trauma Rehabilitation Facility. He will be prohibited from operating snowmobiles or ATVs for two years. He was ordered to pay a small amount of restitution to the Smith family and must participate in educational classes or films regarding the results of fatal OUI incidents.

Captain Dan Scott of the Maine Warden Service commented that the investigation into this incident illustrated the effectiveness of good communication and cooperation between agencies.

“The Maine Warden Service will continue to aggressively prosecute persons who operate snowmobiles, ATVs and Boats recklessly and under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” according to Captain Scott. “This tragic incident resulted in life changing injuries to Mr. Smith and his family, and we hope the results of Rosa’s sentencing bring some relief to Mr. Smith and his family.”