Key Points
- More than a dozen 911 calls, which numbered 14 altogether, were received from an “erratic driver” of a box truck in Bangor, stated the Department of Public Safety of the state of Maine.
- The box truck was spotted traveling southbound on Interstate 95 in Old Town, Maine.
- The erratic driver was reported to have driven past the locked gate at the weigh station and continued southbound, according to spokesperson Shannon Moss.
- The truck then left the interstate at Exit 187 to Hogan Road in Bangor and back again to the interstate northbound.
- Then the truck switched sides of the road, and traveled the wrong way on the southbound lanes, according to the police.
- The vehicle managed to correct its path and ended up in the parking lot of Lowe’s in Bangor, driving in circles, reported by a citizen.
- The police found the truck in the parking lot of BJ’s and arrested the erratic driver without any trouble.
- Julio Matos, 36 years old from Orange City, Florida, was brought to Penobscot County Jail, and charged with criminal OUI, driving to endanger, and failing to report an accident.
- There might be some other charges for Matos, Moss stated.
Bangor Crime (Wales Times) August 20, 2026 – A Florida man has been charged with driving to endanger after a series of erratic manoeuvres in the uk/local/bangor/">Bangor area triggered more than a dozen emergency calls, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.
As reported by the Maine Department of Public Safety, spokesperson Shannon Moss stated that 14 calls were received reporting the truck travelling southbound on Interstate 95 in Old Town.
“The truck was reported to have driven through the closed gate at the weigh station before continuing southbound,”
Moss stated.
The truck then exited on Exit 187 to Hogan Road in Bangor before getting back on the highway northbound, according to Moss. “The truck then crossed the median and began traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes,” Moss stated.
“The vehicle corrected itself and eventually ended up in the Lowe’s parking lot in Bangor, where it was reported to be driving in circles.”
Police found the truck at a BJ’s parking lot and took the alleged driver into custody without incident, Moss said. Julio Matos, 36, of Orange City, Florida, was transported to Penobscot County Jail and was charged with criminal OUI, driving to endanger and failing to notify authorities of an accident, according to Moss. Matos may face other charges. No injuries were reported.
What Charges Does Julio Matos Face?
Julio Matos, 36, of Orange City, Florida, was transported to Penobscot County Jail following his arrest. According to spokesperson Shannon Moss, he was charged with criminal OUI, driving to endanger and failing to notify authorities of an accident. Moss noted that Matos may face other charges as the investigation continues.
How Did Police Locate the Erratic Driver?
The sequence of events began with 14 separate 911 calls reporting an erratic box truck travelling southbound on Interstate 95 in Old Town. The truck reportedly drove through the closed gate at the weigh station, then exited at Exit 187 to Hogan Road in Bangor before rejoining the highway northbound. After crossing the median and travelling the wrong way in the southbound lanes, the vehicle corrected itself and ended up in the Lowe’s parking lot in Bangor, where it was reported to be driving in circles. Police eventually found the truck at a BJ’s parking lot and took the alleged driver into custody without incident.
Were There Any Injuries?
According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, no injuries were reported during the incident. The department did not report any collisions or damage to property as a result of the erratic driving.
Background
The Maine Department of Public Safety is the state agency responsible for coordinating public safety services across Maine, including the Maine State Police, which handles highway enforcement and criminal investigations. The agency’s public information office, led by spokesperson Shannon Moss, regularly issues statements on significant traffic and public safety incidents.
The Penobscot County Jail, located in Bangor, serves as the primary detention facility for Penobscot County and processes individuals arrested on a range of charges, including driving offences. Interstate 95, which runs through Old Town and Bangor, is a major north-south corridor in Maine and a frequent focus of state police traffic enforcement.
Driving to endanger is a criminal offence in Maine that involves operating a vehicle in a manner that endangers the safety of others, while OUI (operating under the influence) refers to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Failing to notify authorities of an accident is a separate charge that can arise when a driver is involved in a collision and does not report it as required by law.
Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Local Drivers
For residents and motorists in the Bangor and Old Town areas, this incident highlights the risks posed by impaired or erratic driving on Interstate 95 and surrounding roads. The fact that the truck crossed the median and travelled the wrong way in the southbound lanes underscores the potential for serious, multi-vehicle collisions on a busy highway corridor.
The arrest may prompt increased attention from Maine State Police on highway patrols in the region, particularly around weigh stations and major exits such as Exit 187. Drivers in the area may see a heightened police presence in the coming days as authorities process the case and review whether additional charges are warranted.
For the broader community, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting dangerous driving. The 14 calls made by members of the public played a direct role in helping police track and intercept the vehicle before any injuries occurred. The outcome no injuries reported and a suspect taken into custody without incident suggests that prompt public reporting and coordinated police response can help prevent more serious consequences from erratic driving incidents.
